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Overview

Synopsis

Tom Stoppard’s Travesties is a play that follows the often-faulty memories of Henry Carr, an elderly man who spent time in Zurich, Switzerland, during the First World War. At that time, the city was also inhabited by several revolutionary thinkers, including modernist author James Joyce; founder of Dada, Tristan Tzara; and pre-Russian revolution Vladimir Lenin. Travesties follows Carr’s interaction with these men, often shaped by his mixed feelings about a production of The Importance of Being Earnest-- where he, Carr, played the leading role of Algernon and James Joyce acted as business manager. First produced in 1974, Travesties has been awarded the Tony for Best Play, as well as the Drama Critic’s Circle Award and the Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy. It has been most recently revived in 2016 at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London, to rave reviews.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1974
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Period, Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
zurich, switzerland during the first world war
Cast Size
medium
Licensor
Samuel French
Ideal For
Diverse Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Elderly, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Tristan Tzara

Lead

Male

Henry Carr

Lead

Male

James Joyce

Lead

Male

Bennett

Supporting

Male

Nadya

Supporting

Female

Lenin

Supporting

Male

Gwendolyn

Supporting

Female

Cecily

Supporting

Female

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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