Misleading talk from entrapped characters in Marivaux’s wordplay
Pierre de Marivaux (1688-1763), hailed as one of France’s most significant 18th-century playwrights, wrote extensively on the nature of interpersonal and societal relationships, revealing an individualistic approach that was somewhat risque for his time. The flirtatious bantering tone of Marivaux’s dialogues are indeed so identified with his work that the term Marivaudage was coined to describe them. In plays such as The Game of Love and Chance, False Confessions and The Fortunate Peasant, Marivaux examines the conditions under which people of differing social circumstances come together and the dynamic these relationships acquire when put to the test. La Double Inconstance, another theater piece that looks at the interplay between entrapped characters, is currently on stage at the Amore Theater. The play is translated and directed by Thomas Moschopoulos and stars the talented young Greek actors Anna Mascha, Hieronymous Kaletsanos, Maria Kordoni and Despina Kourti. Set in a sort of garden greenhouse (designed by Elly Papageorgakopoulou), the characters of the play find themselves enclosed – or trapped, both physically and psychologically – in this seemingly idyllic world. The inherent prejudices of their social roles, power and love lead them to express themselves through Marivaudage – that is, using words to mask their intentions in order to accomplish their hidden goals most successfully. The need to forge new relationships is seen more as a quest for alliances than as one for love or companionship, and the characters of the play don’t hesitate to encroach on each other’s needs in order to empower themselves – acting with inconstancy. The Amore production, which premiered yesterday evening, will be on stage every Wednesday-Saturday at 9.15 p.m. and Sundays at 7.00. All the Thursday shows have a reduced-price admission of 3,000 drachmas for people over 65 and under 18, the disabled, members of rehabilitation centers, unemployment card holders, people with large families and green card holders. Regular tickets are priced at 5,500 drachmas with 4,000 for students.
