Title: The romancers : a comedy in three acts /
Authors: Rostand, Edmond, 1868-1918.; Hendee, Mary Louise, 1859-
Publisher: Doubleday and McClure, c1899.
Year: 1899
Abstract: In his play "The Romancers" Edmond Rostand satirizes the sentimentalism and escapism of Romantic literature of his times. Percinet is the only son of Bergamin and Sylvette is the only daughter of Pasquinot. Their fathers who are widowers and neighbors make a plan to marry their children with each other. In order to accomplish this, the fathers separate their children so that they may love each other the more, and desire to be re-united. As a part of their plan, Bergamin warns his son to stay away from Pasquinot and his daughter. Similarly, Pasquinot also warns his daughter that she should not be near to his mortal enemy Bergamin and his son. Inspite of their fathers' warnings, Percinet and Sylvette fall in love. They think themselves as the counterparts of Romeo and Juliet. They are worried that their love will also end in tragedy like that of Romeo and Juliet. They are emotional, daydreaming teenagers who have recently finished their school studies. They are deeply influenced by romantic literature of their times, especially by the romantic play "Romeo and Juliet" of William Shakespeare. They are so in love with each other that they desire to die rather than separate with each other. Bergamin then hires Straforel and his company for a fake kidnapping. At midnight hours, when Percinet and Sylvette are about to meet, Straforel with his company kidnap Sylvette and put her into the sedan chair. Percinet hears the cry of Sylvette, jumps over the wall and fights with his sword. At the same time, as planned, Pasquinot enters and calls Percinet a hero. He suggests Bergamin to put an end to their enmity and arrange the marriage of their children. Thus in the end the two children seem like puppets in the hands of their fathers. - MeroSpark Cloud Reference, http://www.merospark.com
Contents: Act first : The stage is cut in two by an old wall, mossy and garlanded with luxuriant vines. -- Act second : Same setting. The wall has disappeared. -- Act third : Same setting. Material has been brought up for reconstructing the wall, which is going up in the rear.