Six satires by Molière, France's original master of comedies, translated by Richard Wilbur: The Bungler, The Imaginary Cuckold, The School for Husbands, The School for Wives, Tartuffe and The Misanthrope.
The Bungler: A clever valet tries to help his master win the girl of his dreams, only to find that he is a monumental dunce who ruins every single intricate scheme. Stars Richard Easton.
The Imaginary Cuckold: An enraged husband imagines his wife is unfaithful, but is reluctant to defend his honor in this grand farce of hysterical coincidences.
School for Husbands: Sganarelle, a tyrannical old buffoon of a husband-to-be, seeks to isolate his young ward, while unwittingly carrying her messages of devotion to her lover.
The School for Wives: In this biting comedy of errors, the hapless Arnolphe is undone by his own double dealing and double standards.
Tartuffe: In this superb satire of hypocrisies in the Catholic Church a pious fraud tries to get title to his friend's estate by sending him to jail. Stars Brian Bedford.
The Misanthrope: One man's blunt honesty shatters the delicate web of manners in French salons. Often considered Molière's Hamlet.