Moliere's The School for Wives

This is a new translation by Justin Fleming of Molière’s The School for Wives, first staged in Paris in 1662.

Arnolde, a wealthy business man, reveals that he confined a young girl, Agnes, in a convent as a child so that some day she may be his innocent, ignorant and therefore dutiful wife. Now that Agnes is of marrying age, Arnolde hides her in a house and plans their wedding.

Horace, the handsome son of Arnolde’s friend, catches a glimpse of Agnes, and falls in love with her. By boldly gaining access to the house, he learns from Agnes how her master keeps her a prisoner from the world.

Incensed at Horace’s secret advances, Arnolde forbids Agnes from seeing Horace and sends for a lawyer to prepare the marriage contract.

But in an hilarious sequence of events, Fate reveals that it has a very different plan in mind.