La Foire de Guibray

Infobox Play
name = La Foire de Guibray


image_size = 200 px
caption = Title plate from 1721 edition of "La Foire de Guibray"
writer = Alain-René Lesage
chorus =
characters = Arlequin Pierrot Scaramouche a judge an Italian actor two actresses a musician
mute =
setting =Guibray Fair in Falaise
date of premiere = 1713
country of Origin = France
original language = French
series =
subject =
genre = farce
web =
playbill_event =
ibdb_id =

"La Foire de Guibray" (English: "The Guibray Fair") is a one act farce by Alain-René Lesage. It was first performed at the Foire de Saint Laurent in 1714. "La Foire de Guibray" is actually a prologue to two other one act farces, "Arlequin Mahomet" and "Le Tombeau de Nostradamus". Between the three works, Lesage created a comedy in three acts.

Plot summary

Arlequin and Scaramouche come to the Guibray Fair in order to steal things from merchants. When Scaramouche talks about how scared he is of the judge of the town, Arlequin suggests that they disguise themselves as Arab actors to avoid suspicion.

Meanwhile, the judge and Pierrot are walking through the fair, watching the various theatrical and musical acts. An Italian actor offers to entertain the judge, when Arlequin walks up and proposes his own play. The judge suggests a competition between the two. Arlequin will perform "Arlequin Mahomet", and the Italian will perform "Le Tombeau de Nostradamus".

Characters

* The judge of Guibray
* Pierrot, his secretary
* Arlequin, a thief posing as an Arab actor
* Scaramouche, a thief posing as an Arab actor
* An Italian actor
* Two actresses
* A musician