NSA Theatre Returns with One Act Play

This Saturday, October 16, the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Theatre Department will present Moliere's "Les Précieuses Ridicules," The Pretentious Young Ladies.

The play follows the misguided sentiments and affectations of two young ladies from the French provinces. General admission is $5, and there will be two shows (3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.) in the Cafeteria at the Main Campus. Please note that seating is limited and on a first come, first-served basis. Audience members are required to wear masks throughout the entire show. 

Best of luck to the cast and crew!

Play Synopsis:

Madelon and her cousin, Cathos, have arrived in Paris from the country and Madelon’s father, Gorgibus, is keen to find them husbands as soon as possible. However, they have been brainwashed by absurd, romantic ideas about courtship and suitors, much to Gorgibus’ frustration. He is astounded when they reject the advances of two noblemen, La Grange and Du Croisy, and becomes enraged by their silly reasoning. However, Gorgibus’ embarrassment does not end there. Determined to teach the young ladies a lesson, La Grange and Du Croisy arrange for their valets to disguise themselves as ridiculous, wealthy courtiers who come to woo Madelon and Cathos. When the women are firmly under their spell, La Grange and Du Croisy reveal their deception and ridicule Madelon and Cathos for their pretentious affectation. Gorgibus is ashamed by the family’s disgrace and curses the ladies’ foolishness and naivety.

Notes from Director Renee Perry Mitchell:

"Les Précieuses Ridicules," The Pretentious Young Ladies, is a one-act satire by iconic French playwright and author Moliere and was first produced in 1659. Moliere, born in 1622, was to the French language what Shakespeare is to English. Were it not for his great talent, Moliere would not have been permitted to make fun of all facets of society, including the religious, the nobles and yes, the pretentious. Though he was banned by the church because of his genius, Moliere won the patronage of the King, who provided a space for Moliere’s troupe to rehearse and thrive. In this famous play, Moliere’s sentiment can be heard clearly through the words of Mascarille when he is finally exposed as a mere valet, “I perceive they love nothing here but outward show and have no regard for worth unadorned.” Indeed. The works of Moliere hold up a mirror to society and ask us to look at what we value most. It has been an education for our actors to work within the mastery of Moliere.