Characters
Patrice Bombelles
Patrice Bombelles serves as the discreet secretary to the affluent industrial titan, Messerschmann. Entangled in a clandestine romance with Lady India, Messerschmann’s mistress, Bombelles treads carefully through a web of concealment. For two years, he has reciprocated her affections while fervently hoping to keep their affair hidden from Messerschmann. The fear of discovery, and subsequent dismissal, looms large over Bombelles, plunging him into a state of constant anxiety. This preoccupation often leaves him bewildered and distracted, struggling to keep pace with the whirlwind of Hugo's ever-shifting schemes.
Geraldine Capulat
Described by Anouilh as the "faded" companion to Madame Desmermortes, Geraldine Capulat remains in the shadows until an unexpected encounter. When recognized by Isabelle’s mother as an old friend from musical pastimes, Capulat’s role subtly shifts. She is a hopeless romantic, loyal to a fault, and finds herself drawn into the endeavor to unite Hugo and Isabelle, driven by a heartfelt desire to aid her friend.
Madame Desmermortes
Madame Desmermortes, the matriarchal aunt of Hugo, Frederic, and Lady India, is a formidable presence. Her life revolves around ensuring her kin marry suitably. With a shrewd mind, she supports Hugo’s machinations, often blending her own wisdom with a touch of fortuitous serendipity. She counters the romantic whims of her companion Capulat with a steely realism, her worldview shaped by age and the limitations of her wheelchair-bound existence.
Frederic
Frederic, the mirror image of his twin, Hugo, is portrayed by the same actor, enhancing their uncanny resemblance. Known for his insecurities and self-effacing nature, Frederic is infatuated with Diana Messerschmann, unable to detach himself from her presence. This slavish devotion is unrequited, as Diana’s affections lie with the more assertive Hugo. Although initially blind to his subjugation, Frederic eventually sees through Diana’s control and finds solace in Isabelle’s affection.
Hugo
Hugo stands as the confident counterpart to his twin, Frederic. With a charm that draws women irresistibly to him, he is self-proclaimed as the darker twin. The play’s action pivots around Hugo’s plot to separate Frederic from Diana, whose heart belongs to Hugo. Disenchanted by Diana’s wealth and spoiled nature, Hugo positions himself as an adversary of aristocratic vanity, displaying a willingness to manipulate others. His schemes involve blackmailing Romainville, misleading Frederic, and even enlisting Patrice Bombelles to feign jealousy, all to ignite Frederic’s passion. Only when Diana’s fortunes change does Hugo acknowledge his true feelings for her.
Lady Dorothy India
Lady India, cousin to the identical twins and niece to the imposing Madame Desmermortes, navigates a tangled web of romantic intrigue. Caught between Messerschmann and Patrice Bombelles, she relishes the thrill of danger and dreams of being discovered in a scandalous embrace. Her flirtation with poverty, though partly genuine, culminates in rekindled love for Messerschmann upon learning of his financial ruin.
Isabelle
Isabelle, a vibrant ballet dancer, finds herself entwined with Romainville under the guise of artistic patronage. Despite her honest and caring nature, she is drawn into the role of his niece, enraptured by Hugo’s magnetism. Like Hugo, she scorns wealth, rejecting Messerschmann’s monetary overtures and joining him in an act of defiance against materialism. With Madame Desmermortes’s matchmaking, Isabelle discovers her heart belongs with Frederic, not Hugo.
Isabelle’s Mother
Isabelle’s mother, a character engulfed in nostalgia for the prosperity she once knew, harbors grand aspirations for her daughter. She encourages Isabelle’s involvement in Hugo’s ruse, hoping it will lead to a lucrative match. Her connection to Capulat nearly jeopardizes Hugo’s plan, but Madame Desmermortes deftly assigns her the persona of "Countess Funela" at a ball, indulging her fantasies of wealth and status. Ultimately, her dreams are vindicated when...
(This entire section contains 1031 words.)
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Isabelle and Frederic unite.
Joshua
Joshua, the steadfast butler serving the Desmermortes household for three decades, ensures the smooth execution of Hugo’s plot to separate Frederic and Diana. He provides levity with his dignified speech, a hallmark of the archetypal butler, while his occasional faltering in unexpected situations adds a humorous touch. As Anouilh notes, Joshua is "crumbling."
Messerschmann
The text ends here, leaving Messerschmann’s role open for elaboration.
Messerschmann, a prosperous titan of industry, is a man of peculiar habits. His relentless insomnia dictates his simplistic diet—noodles devoid of any seasoning. In life's grand theater, he plays four significant roles: father to Diana, clandestine lover of the enigmatic Lady India, superior to the ambitious Patrice Bombelles, and the mastermind behind a pig-iron empire, with Romainville steering the helm. Embodying the ethos of wealth, Messerschmann is a firm believer that everyone can be bought. His world shifts when he senses Diana's envy towards Isabelle. Driven by this jealousy, he attempts to manipulate Romainville and coerce Isabelle to depart the scene through bribery. Failing to sway Isabelle, Messerschmann's fury spirals into a disillusionment with his riches, leading him to attempt financial self-destruction—an act that paradoxically enhances his allure to Lady India.
Diana Messerschmann
Diana, the captivating scion of the affluent Messerschmann, finds herself caught in a web of unfulfilled desires. Frederic admires her from afar, yet her heart yearns for Hugo, who remains indifferent. Resigning to her fate, she chooses Frederic when Hugo's affections are absent. Her envy flares at Isabelle, whose presence at the ball commands the attention of all men. She protests to her father, but irony takes the stage when Hugo declares his love only after news of her father's financial downfall emerges, making her appear destitute.
Romainville
Romainville, a seasoned gentleman with a penchant for collecting butterflies, seems poised to make Isabelle his next acquisition. As the custodian of Messerschmann's pig-iron interests, he navigates his attraction to the youthful Isabelle with secrecy, fearing for his spotless reputation. Under Hugo's coercion, Romainville reluctantly agrees to have Isabelle masquerade as his niece, with the cunning plan of drawing Frederic away from Diana. Yet, when Messerschmann discerns Isabelle as the source of his daughter’s jealousy, he threatens Romainville with financial catastrophe unless he removes Isabelle from the equation. At the play's conclusion, Romainville resolves to declare his affection and propose to Isabelle, but finds himself too late, as Isabelle and Frederic have already forged their bond.
