Anouilh, Jean 1910–

A French dramatist, screenwriter, editor, and translator, Anouilh has written plays ranging from tragedy (pièces noires), to sophisticated comedy (pièces roses), to art for art's sake (pièces brillantes), to black humor (pièces grinçantes). He often uses idealistic heroes and heroines whose romantic dreams are contrasted with harsh reality. Several of his plays have been drawn from history for the modern theater; most notably L'alouette, based on Joan of Arc's life, and Becket. His satiric Pauvre Bitos mocks a Liberation magistrate as the revolutionary Robespierre. Antigone, his most popular play, is based on classical mythology. (See also CLC, Vols. 1, 3, 8, and Contemporary Authors, Vols. 17-20, rev. ed.)