The Play's the Thing
A play
By Ferenc Molnar (as Spiel in Schloss), adapted by P. G. Wodehouse.
First produced in Great Neck, Long Island, by the Charles Frohman Company before transferring to New York in November 1926.
Produced in London in 1928.
Revived in New York in 1928 and 1948 and many times and places since.
Synopsis
The play opens with Turai and Mansky, two playwright partners, and the young composer Adam in a room in a castle, somewhere in Italy. After discussing how best to open a play and introducing themselves, they overhear a conversation in the next room. It is between Adam's fiancée Ilona and the actor Almady. He declares his love for her and while she sends him away, she also kisses him. Adam's heart is broken and he goes off to bed with Mansky watching over him.
Turai ponders over something said earlier and gets an idea to bring the lovers back together. Overnight he writes a play and in the morning persuades Ilona and Almady to perform it that evening, hoping that Adam will think that what he overheard was them rehearsing.
Dramatis personae
| Sandor Turai | a famous dramatist
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| Mansky | his collaborator, also a dramatist
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| Albert Adam | a young composer, engaged to
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| Ilona Szabo | a prima donna
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| Almady | a leading actor
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| Johann Dwornitschek | a footman
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| Mell | the Count's secretary, a worrier
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| two lackeys
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Publishing Information
Published in Four Plays
Reading this, it seems remarkably short. I can only assume that the lines were well padded by business. With characters addressing the audience and halting the curtain fall, there is a distinctly surreal element to this play. It is still performed, no doubt helped by the limited scenery and small number of actors.