Theatre
The Satin Slipper
Le Soulier de satin
Paul Claudel · 1929
Synopsis
In the time of the conquistadors, Don Rodrigue, cast by a shipwreck onto the African coast, falls in love with Doña Prouhèze, wife of Don Pélage, governor general of the presidios. She agrees to join him in Catalonia; before leaving, she entrusts her satin slipper to the Virgin, so that, if she should rush towards evil, it may be “on a lame foot”. Don Camille, her husband's cousin, also seeks to win her.
Context
The author wrote it from 1919 to 1924, largely in Japan, and published it in 1928 and 1929. The drama is divided into four days written in verses, and a complete performance takes about ten hours. After a radio reading in 1942, Jean-Louis Barrault staged it at the Comédie-Française in 1943, in a version of about five hours. Antoine Vitez presented it in full in 1987, at the Avignon festival.
Who it is for
Four days and dozens of scenes, in free verse. One can read one day at a time; the comic characters lighten the mystical matter.
Prizes and reception
Regarded as its author's theatrical masterpiece, the drama appeared in English in 1931 under the title The Satin Slipper.
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