The Bores: A Comedy in Three Acts

A bustling parade of caricatures drives this lively comedy, where each fleeting scene spotlights a different “bore” whose tedious habits and pompous airs turn everyday manners into farce. The play unfolds as a rapid series of monologues and tableaux, linked only by a reluctant narrator, creating a kaleidoscopic portrait of the absurdities that haunt courtly life. Its humor springs from the sharp contrast between the characters’ self‑importance and the audience’s growing impatience, inviting listeners to recognize the same irksome types in their own world.

Commissioned on short notice for a lavish court celebration, the piece was crafted to accommodate ballets, elaborate set pieces, and the whims of a demanding patron. The king’s delight at its debut sparked an invitation for the playwright to add yet another bore—a new, exaggerated figure that keeps the satire fresh. Listeners will enjoy the witty, fast‑paced rhythm and the witty observations that still resonate today.