Les Règles du savoir-vivre dans la société moderne

A woman, a sort of lecturer, explains the rules of life in society to another character and to the audience. The ironic, even provocative tone that escapes from the writing reveals the discrepancy that exists between the current state of society, of morals, and the outdated image that these rules reflect.

The play is based on the book of conveniences , usages and good manners by Baroness Staffe (1843-1911), published in 1889. Jean-Luc Lagarce, blending his own writing and vision with the (self-proclaimed) Baroness's original text, explores the mechanisms of exaggeration touching on parody, in a vein close to the absurd.

But, behind the apparent social harmony, behind the glitter of grand ceremonies reign egoism, loneliness and abandonment.