Director Barrie Howard’s choice of “Cyprienne” marks its first performance in South Africa. It has been translated and adapted by David Nicholson from Victorien Sardou’s comic masterpiece “Divorcons” (which was a hit from its first performance in France in 1880).
A young wife Cyprienne – witty, impatient, passionate and playful – is bored with her older husband and wants to spread her wings. “Divorcons” was perceived at the time to be extremely saucy and was therefore not staged before English-speaking audiences.
In 2009 David Nicholson translated and adapted “Divorcons”, changing its title to “Cyprienne” (the name of the main female character) and its period to the Roaring 1920s. Presumably the period change would make the situations, behaviour and attitudes to divorce in the play more convincing to modern audiences.
“Cyprienne” is a delicious, coquettish, manipulative and farcical look at divorce French style. It is presented by Constantiaberg Theatre Players at the Masque Theatre, Muizenberg and runs from Friday May 24 until Saturday June 01 (excluding Sunday to Wednesday). Book through Masque Theatre Bookings on (o/h) or email