La Bete [Paperback]

David Hirson (Author), David Hirson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1998

In a comic whirlwind of high style, La Bête tells the story of Elomire, a 17th century French playwright, and his touring acting troupe who have come to lead the high life due to the patronage of the fickle Prince of Conti. Sparks fly when Valere, a swaggering braggert with delusions of artistic grandeur, becomes the Prince's choice to join Elomire's troupe. It is a battle of wits and witticisms as the two face off in this outrageous commentary on the nature of art and the artist in society.

A L.A. Theatre Works full-cast performance featuring: Michael Cumpsty, Jen Dede, Alice Hirson, John de Lancie, Matt Letscher, Robert Machray, Tom McGowen, Amy Pietz, Andre Sogliuzzo, Sarah Zimmerman

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Editorial Reviews

From AudioFile

The patron of a troupe of seventeenth-century French actors foists on them a conceited, silly playwright and performer--to the outrage of their own writer, an intellectual and artist. Hirson's rhyming verse is sometimes strained or veers toward doggerel but can be clever, especially in the almost-contrapuntal use of many voices in unison or in rapid succession. Such sections are well read and well recorded. Some speeches go on too long, a problem for listeners, who have no actions or expressions to observe. The audible reactions of background characters--usually laughter--are sometimes uncomfortably overdone. But the principal actors are sharp, clear, and effective, making for a lively performance of a sometimes-amusing, sometimes-thoughtful, and only rarely tedious comic drama. W.M. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Dramatists Play Service, Inc. (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822206218
• ISBN-13: 978-0822206217
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #742,722 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lampooning Moliere, with a slice of modern-day editorial, March 4, 2002

By 

John Sefel (TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: La Bete (Paperback)

While I would urge everyone to buy a copy of this script, I would especially recommend it to students of theater history (for a good laugh) and to working or studying actors and directors - its classic/modern qualities make it a wonderful bridge to performing and directing classic works, and actors will find PLENTY of first-rate scene and monologue material.

And to be sure, while its humor and satirical nature is its immediate draw, the deeper philosophical question which it (and, of course, "The Wrong Mountain") leaves us with is one which can prove debate-sparking, ideal-shifting, and life-changing. Most Highly Recommended - worth far more than five stars.

...

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best rhymed verse in literally centuries., September 24, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: La Bete (Paperback)

This is excellently-written rhymed verse in an hilarious period play about a boorish, egotistical actor who takes over a performance company. The unbelievable 15-page monolog by Valere, "the beast" referred to by the title, is worth the script cost alone. Because of the crafty writing, this script is alive and energetic on paper, even without the actors to give it form. And if seen in performance, the quick, witty dialog can be very informed to the audience member who has the script in hand. I love this play!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hirson is the most innovative new American playwright!, November 17, 1999

By 

Andrew Perez ([e-mail]) (Petaluma, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: La Bete (Paperback)

This is an exciting new piece of theater writing. It is brilliantly witty and creative, evocative and lenguistically rich! It is also a delight to read aloud!