The refusal on the part of academic critics to recognize the primacy of farce in Moliere's theatre is contradicted by wide spread theatrical pracitce. These essays develop the argument that Moliere needs to be rescued from the pantheon of classical literature and put back on the Pont-Neuf with the strolling players, low-life rogues, cut-purses and clowns with whom he filled his theatre.

This collection focuses on Moliere's theatre as works to be performed as well as read. The essays deal in their various ways with limits which are imposed and respected or violated and broken. The question of transgression both as a subject within Moliere's plays and as a dilemma confronting Moliere's critics and interpreters is addressed. The book aims to enlarge the scope of academic scholarship and include the thinking and insights of actors.

The refusal on the part of academic critics to recognize the primacy of farce in Moliere's theatre is contradicted by wide spread theatrical pracitce. These essays develop the argument that Moliere needs to be rescued from the pantheon of classical literature and put back on the Pont-Neuf with the strolling players, low-life rogues, cut-purses and clowns with whom he filled his theatre.

This collection focuses on Moliere's theatre as works to be performed as well as read. The essays deal in their various ways with limits which are imposed and respected or violated and broken. The question of transgression both as a subject within Moliere's plays and as a dilemma confronting Moliere's critics and interpreters is addressed. The book aims to enlarge the scope of academic scholarship and include the thinking and insights of actors.