Is three really a crowd?
[Le plus heureux des trois]by Eugène Labiche
in French with English surtitles
Director Alec Gilbert
Producer Michael Bula
The production
This is the 87th production of Melbourne French Theatre Inc. (MFT) in 38 years [1977 to 2015] since its foundation in 1977 by Michael Bula and A. David Gorrie at the University of Melbourne.
This presentation is one of the rare ones in Australia of this comic master. This is the third Labiche play staged by MFT after Le chapeau de paille d’Italie (1982) and Le Voyage de Monsieur Perrichon (1999).
The cast
Alphonse Marjavel, successful businessman – Paul Soyez
Krampach, Alsatian, Marjavel’s employee – Henry Méra
Ernest Jobelin, Marjavel’s protégé and Hermance’s lover – Stanislas De Lachapelle
Jobelin, Ernest’s Uncle – Julien Bouissière
Hermance, Marjavel’s wife – Laurette Peruzzi
Petunia, their maid – Hanna Ouahmane
Berthe, in love with Ernest – Emily-Rose Guarnuccio
Lisbeth, Alsatian, Krampach’s wife – Sarah Gospodarczyk
Reviews & compliments
I very much enjoyed Is Three Really a Crowd. I confess that I had to read as well as listen as my French is efinitely not up to it but I am a rapid reader so that worked. This style of theatre is a big change for me and it really is charming and so entertaining. I imagine it is actually deceptively difficult to pull off but the cast were excellent, direction obviously creative and finely tuned and sets delightful. I particularly liked the work of Henry Mera. Altogether a totally enjoyable night at the theatre and I was SO impressed to hear of all the people involved behind the scenes to bring your works to the public.
J’ai vraiment apprécié Le plus heureux des trois. Je dois avouer que j’ai du lire alors que j’écoutais car mon français n’est décidemment pas au top mais je lis rapidement donc tout s’est bien passé. Ce genre de théâtre est un grand changement pour moi et c’est si charmant et divertissant. J’imagine que ca doit être incroyablement difficile de tout organiser mais les acteurs étaient incroyables, la mise en scène tout à fait innovante et bien orchestrée et le décor était ravissant. J’ai particulièrement aimé la prestation d’Henry Méra. En bref, j’ai passé une soirée théâtrale ravissante et étais véritablement impressionnée de voir toutes ces personnes travaillant derrière les rideaux pour partager ces pièces avec le public.
Anne 14/05/2015
The play was FANTASTIC We really enjoy it! I am really happy to have to chance to see it. It was marvellous the whole team is really doing an amazing job.
Nans 13/05/2014
I liked the play and thought the acting gets better with each production. My other friend Jo enjoyed her first visit to the French theatre.
J’ai aimé la pièce et trouvé que la performance des acteurs ne fait que s’améliorer de pièce en pièce. Mon amie Jo a adoré sa première rencontre avec le théâtre français !
Irene 13/05/2015