La Poupée
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La Poupée is a comic opera in a prelude and three acts composed by Edmond Audran with a libretto by Maurice Ordonneau. It opened at the Théâtre de la Gaité in Paris on 31 October 1896.
La Poupée then played at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London on February 24, 1897, with an English libretto in two acts by Arthur Sturgess, running for a very successful 576 performances. It starred Courtice Pounds. Edna May later played in the piece. It also had a Broadway production in 1897.
[edit] Synopsis
Maximus and his fellow monks are desperate because they have no money and almost nothing to eat. Lancelot, who has only been in the monastery for a short time, is supposed to ask his wealthy uncle for help. The uncle agrees, but only on the condition that Lancelot get married. The friars now plan to deceive the uncle with one of Master Hilarius' dolls, introducing it as Lancelot's wife. Hilarius has just finished a doll that closely resembles his daughter Alesia. In order to win Lancelot, whom she is in love with, for herself, Alesia pretends to be the doll. Only after the wedding does Lancelot become aware of the scam. The young couple has to leave the monastery, while the friars seek consolation in the large sum they have received from the uncle.
