Le pacha trompé ou Les deux ours: Pièce comique en un acte

A bustling Ottoman court becomes the stage for a lively comedy of misunderstandings, where the naïve pasha trusts his eccentric advisor Marécot and the beloved French slave Victor above all else. When the pasha’s cherished “favorite” – a bear that has earned a place of honor in the palace – suddenly disappears, Victor and his witty friend Auguste scramble to reassure their ruler while grappling with their own fears of exile and punishment.

The play crackles with rapid dialogue as Victor recounts his astonishing journey from a shipwrecked sailor to the pasha’s favorite, and Auguste offers a brotherly pledge of loyalty. Meanwhile, Marécot bursts onto the scene, panic-stricken, confirming the bear’s untimely death and igniting a chaotic rush to find a replacement. With a small menagerie, a looming throne, and a cast of colorful servants, the first act sets up a frantic yet charming scramble for favor that promises plenty of laughter and clever twists.