The School For Husbands

Play

Writers: Moliere

Overview

Show Information

Book
Category
Play
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1661
Genres
Comedy, Satire
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
Paris, Seventeenth Century
Cast Size
medium
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal for
College/University, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male
Casting Notes
Mostly male cast
Includes adult, mature adult, young adult characters

Synopsis

When Isabella and Leonor are orphaned at a young age, their father leaves their guardianship to two brothers, Sganarelle and Ariste. Sganarelle takes Isabella as his ward, while Ariste raises Leonor. However, the two men differ in their opinions on how best to raise the sisters. While Sganarelle believes that restraining and prohibiting Isabella from engaging with the outside world will best protect her innocence and fidelity, Ariste firmly believes that he must allow Leonor the freedom to choose the life she wants. The girls are now young women and, with Sganarelle’s plans to marry his ward fast approaching, Isabella takes desperate steps to ensure that she is not tied to her strict guardian forever. With the help of her lover, Valere, Isabella plays on Sganarelle’s vanity and self-satisfied presumption to escape his house and marry Valere right under his nose!

Lead Characters


The School For Husbands guide sections