According to Wikipedia: "Edmond Eugène Alexis Rostand (1 April 1868 2 December 1918) was a French poet and dramatist. He is associated with neo-romanticism, and is best known for his play Cyrano de Bergerac. Rostand's romantic plays provided an alternative to the naturalistic theatre popular during the late nineteenth century. Another of Rostand's works, Les Romanesques, was adapted to the musical comedy, The Fantasticks."

The hall of the Hotel de Bourgogne, in 1640. A sort of tennis-court arranged and decorated for a theatrical performance. The hall is oblong and seen obliquely, so that one of its sides forms the back of the right foreground, and meeting the left background makes an angle with the stage, which is partly visible. On both sides of the stage are benches. The curtain is composed of two tapestries which can be drawn aside. Above a harlequin's mantle are the royal arms. There are broad steps from...

The plot centers around the character of Chantecler, a proud and energetic rooster who believes that his crowing brings the dawn each day. He is convinced that his voice is the key to the morning light, symbolizing his inflated sense of self-importance. The other animals on the farm, including the hens and a variety of birds, humorously play along with Chantecler's delusion. As the story unfolds, Chantecler becomes entangled in a romantic subplot with a beautiful hen, and he faces a series...

"Cyrano de Bergerac" tells the story of Cyrano, a talented poet, swordsman, and romantic, who is known for his distinctive appearance—having a large nose. Despite his many talents, Cyrano believes that no woman could ever love him because of his physical feature. The play follows Cyrano's unrequited love for Roxane, a beautiful woman with whom he shares a deep emotional connection.The play is renowned for its poetic language, wit, and dramatic flair. It explores themes of love, honor, and ...

The play focuses on the inner conflict of the Duke of Reichstadt (Napoleon II) as he grows up in the Austrian court, separated from France and his father’s legacy. Though his heart yearns for France and the throne that was once his, he is trapped by his loyalty to his Austrian captors and his deep sense of duty to his family and heritage. The conflict within the Duke between his inherited ambitions and his circumstances is central to the drama. The themes of longing, destiny, and the burde...

The plot revolves around two young lovers, Sylvette and Jérome, who are both sheltered from the world by their overprotective parents. Their romantic relationship is initially a fantasy, where each is unaware of the true identity of the other. Sylvette and Jérome have been raised to believe in the ideal of a perfect love, and they engage in elaborate fantasies of chivalry, honor, and devotion. As the story progresses, their innocent and exaggerated notions of romance collide with the reali...

The drawing-room of the villa occupied by Maria Louisa. The walls are painted al fresco in bright colors. The frieze is decorated with a design of sphinxes. At the back, between two other windows, a window reaching to the ground and forming the entrance from the garden. Beyond, the balustrade of the terrace leading into the garden; a glimpse of lindens and pine-trees. A magnificent day in the beginning of September. Empire furniture of lemonwood decorated with bronze. A large china stove i...

The phenomenal success of "Cyrano de Bergerac" is undoubtedly one of the most important literary events of the last quarter of a century. It at once placed Edmond Rostand, a young man of twenty-eight, at the head of the small band of French dramatic writers, all men of marked ability, Maurice Donnay, Georges de Porto-Riche, François de Curel, Paul Hervieu, Henri Lavedan, etc., who had been struggling for supremacy since the disappearance of the two great masters of modern French comedy, Ém...

SCENE: The stage is divided by an old wall, covered with vines and flowers. At the right, a corner of BERGAMIN's private park; at the left, a corner of PASQUINOT's. On each side of the wall, and against it, is a rustic bench. As the curtain rises, PERCINET is seated on the top of the wall. On his knee is a book, out of which he is reading to SYLVETTE, who stands attentively listening on the bench which is on the other side of the wall. SYLVETTE. Monsieur Percinet, how divinely beautiful! P...

The customary three knocks are heard. The drop-curtain wavers and is rising, when a voice rings out, "Not yet!" and the MANAGER, a gentleman of important mien in evening dress, springing from his proscenium box, hurries toward the stage, repeating, "Not yet!" The curtain is again lowered. The MANAGER turns toward the audience, and resting one hand on the prompter's box, addresses them: The curtain is a wall,—a flying wall. Assured that presently the wall will fly—why haste? Is it not charm...

First published in 1910, "Chantecler" is the chef-d'oeuvre of Edmond Rostand's mature years, now deservedly being rediscovered in France.Written in typically lively verse, "Chantecler" contains some of Edmond Rostand's best lyrical writing, including the famous “Hymn to the Sun”. It also explores some of his favourite themes.The play is notable in that all the characters are farmyard animals including the main protagonist, a chanticleer, or rooster. The play centres on the ...

Written in 1900, "L'Aiglon" is a play in six acts by Edmond Rostand based on the life of Napoleon II, who was the son of Emperor Napoleon I and his second wife, Empress Marie Louise. The title of the play comes from a nickname for Napoleon II, the French word for "eaglet" (a young eagle).The title role was created by Sarah Bernhardt in the play's premiere on 15 March 1900 at the Théàtre Sarah Bernhardt.Edmond Rostand’s sympathetic treatment of sensitive people is as evident ...