Author(s): Molière
Moliere, on the way to the Ballet of the Muses, a court festival, started to write a new Heroic Pastoral. “He chose for his subject a similar one to the history of Florizel and Perdita in Shakespeare’s Winter’s Tale…. The charm of his writing, the exquisite delicacy of the sentiment, and the freshness of the pastoral scenes, cause us to regret that Moliere wrote only the first two acts of this play and never finished it.” Though it was performed this way in Dec 1666 – so maybe there is enough here to enjoy.
The Pastoral Comedy which follows it was performed as part of the Ballet of the Muses in Jan 1667 – “most likely replaced the unfinished Melicerte”. We only have a script for a number of the scenes; Moliere supposedly destroyed the rest. – Summary by Translator and ToddHW
Cast list:Melicerte, an Heroic PastoralMyrtil, in love with Melicerte: Adrian StephensAcanthe, in love with Daphne: Dale BurgessTyrene, in love with Eroxene: David PurdyLycarsis, herdsman, supposed father to Myrtil: ToddHWNicandre, shepherd: Alan MapstoneMopse, shepherd, supposed uncle to Melicerte: Andrew GaunceMelicerte, shepherdess: AvailleDaphne, shepherdess: Kathi M. WalsheckEroxene, shepherdess: SoniaCorinne, confidante of Melicerte: WendyKatzHillerStage Directions: Kelly S. Taylor
A Comic PastoralLycas, a rich shepherd in love with Iris: Adrian StephensPhilene, a rich shepherd in love with Iris: Dale BurgessShepherd: David PurdyMagician: SoniaThree Magicians: Devorah AllenGypsy: Alan MapstoneStage Directions: ToddHW