THE SPECULATOR by Stephen Wyatt

£6.00

A sparkling stage version of Balzac’s witty comedy Le Faiseur about a financial speculator on his uppers. The perfect comic fable for our times! While Auguste Mercadet tries to keep his debtors at bay, his wife urges him to let their daughter marry her poor but honest lover. Mercadet’s schemes to find her a rich husband end in confusion and financial ruin seems inevitable. His only hope is his long-lost business partner – the mysterious Godeau.

Mercadet the middle-aged smooth talker is the central figure but there are strong parts for his wife and outspoken daughter, the young lover Minard and the engaging fraudster dandy, de la Brive. As well as a string of juicy cameo opportunities for servants and creditors.

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Description

CHARACTERS

AUGUSTE MERCADET. A speculator

ADOLPHE MINARD. A young bookkeeper.

MICHONNIN DE LA BRIVE. A young man about town.

DE MERICOURT. Another young man about town.

BRÉDIF. Mercadet’s landlord.

VERDELIN. Mercadet’s friend.

BERCHUT. A broker.

GOULARD. A businessman. Mercadet’s creditor.

PIERQUIN. A moneylender. Mercadet’s creditor.

VIOLETTE. Mercadet’s creditor.

JUSTIN. Mercadet’s valet.

MADAME MERCADET.

JULIE MERCADET.

VIRGINIE. The Mercadets’ housekeeper.

 

PRODUCTION HISTORY

The Speculator was commissioned by the Orange Tree Theatre Richmond and had its first performance on the BBC World Service with Martin Jarvis in the lead.

 

RUNNING TIME

Approximately 90 minutes

 

PREVIEW

Preview available here

Additional information

Cast Breakdown

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