Cocteau & Feydeau: Thirteen Monologues

(Paperback)

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Original illustrations by Jean Cocteau and Andrzej Klimowski Two of the seven monologues by Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) in this edition were written for dith Piaf. The other five were written for Cocteaus friend, the celebrated actor Jean Marais, to perform on radio. Although perhaps a minor part of Cocteaus output of films, plays, poems and ballet scenarios, these exquisite miniatures remain a fascinating form of his dramatic expression. Georges Feydeau (1862-1921) is best known for his enduring farces, such as A Flea In Her Ear, yet he wrote over 20 monologues for actors to perform at charity concerts and in fashionable drawing rooms. The six included in this volume were written over a period of 16 years from 1882. Peter Meyers translations of eleven of these monologues were commissioned by the BBC and performed on radio by leading actors including Eileen Atkins, Jill Bennett, Richard Briers, Judi Dench, Alec McCowan and Timothy West. The Liar and I Lost Her have been newly translated for this volume.

Reviews

" 'Anyone searching in monologue country for something different might find it here...delicious pieces... Some fine audition material' - The Stage 'All 13 pieces are distinctively French in flavour and offer a useful introduction to 19th and 20th century French drama and to the work of two eminent French practitioners. They would work as audition pieces for anyone preparing for drama school or several of them performed by different students could make a full-length show with a difference.' - Teaching Drama '[An] excellent translation by Peter Meyer - well worth adding to the drama library.' - Word Matters"

Author Bio

Georges Feydeau (1862-1921) is best known for his enduring farces, such as 'A Flea in her Ear', yet he wrote over 20 monologues for actors to perform at charity concerts and in fashionable drawing rooms