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Scapin the Schemer (French: Les Fourberies de Scapin) is a three-act comedy of intrigue by the French playwright Molière. [1] The title character Scapin is similar to the archetypical Scapino character. The play was first staged on 24 May 1671 in the theatre of the Palais-Royal in Paris. [2]
- Molière
- 1995
Nov 24, 2020 · The use of iambic pentameter is particularly helpful for the actor playing the title role. It requires him to speak copious amounts of rapid-fire dialogue as the farce intensifies. The consistent beat and rhythm is very helpful to keep the performer on track while playing a very demanding role.
Nov 4, 2020 · The comedic standout was the title character, Scapin. Actor, Finn Gallagher (C’21), not only possessed the ability to enhance scripted comedic moments, but also create comedy in mishaps that come with live theatre.
Scapin’s character is modeled on the “zanni,” a group of quick-witted and conniving servant characters that use their position as advisors and interlopers to create comic business and fix life’s messes born of their masters.
Character. Scapino tends to make a confusion of anything he undertakes and metaphorically "flees" from one thought, activity or love interest to another, as his name implies, although he usually will return to it—eventually. Self-preservation and self-interest are his main concerns.
PTC’s current version of Scapin has a contemporary twist. The new adaptation is written and directed by Stephen Wrentmore. Set in vibrant 1960s Naples, Italy, Wrentmore’s take on the 17th-century classic puts women at the forefront by changing the trouble-making servant Scapin into a female character—who is
Scapin knows a good ruse will always win the day and he drafts Sylvestre, Octave’s servant, into his schemes. Convincing Sylvestre he’s a wonderful actor (and allowing him to build characterizations using movie cliches), Scapin has him play characters who will deceive the family patriarchs into parting with large sums of money.
