''Sodom and Gomorrah'' (French title: ''Sodome et Gomorrhe'') is a play by French dramatist

Jean Giraudoux Hippolyte Jean Giraudoux (; 29 October 1882 – 31 January 1944) was a French novelist, essayist, diplomat and playwright. He is considered among the most important French dramatists of the period between World War I and World War II. His wo ...

(1882–1944). Composed as a

tragedy Tragedy (from the grc-gre, τραγῳδία, ''tragōidia'', ''tragōidia'') is a genre of drama based on human suffering and, mainly, the terrible or sorrowful events that befall a main character. Traditionally, the intention of tragedy ...

set in the biblical city of Sodom, the play was first published in 1943.

History

Although Giraudoux was a prolific writer before World War II, ''Sodome et Gomorrhe'' was his only new work produced during the German occupation. The play was first translated into English by

Herma Briffault Herma Briffault, born Herma Hoyt (1898-1981) was an American ghostwriter and translator of French and Spanish literature.Peter KihssHerma Brifault, 83; Prolific Translator and Ghost Writer ''The New York Times'', August 18, 1981. Life Herma Hoyt w ...

in Barry Ulanov's ''Makers of the Modern Theatre'' (1961).

Synopsis

One of Giradoux's darkest works, the themes and lessons of ''Sodom and Gomorrah'' are "deeply pessimistic". The play explores the fundamental differences between man and woman, their different expectations and the unlikelihood of their satisfaction. The plot begins with an

angel In various theistic religious traditions an angel is a supernatural spiritual being who serves God. Abrahamic religions often depict angels as benevolent celestial intermediaries between God (or Heaven) and humanity. Other roles inclu ...

proclaiming that the people of the two cities will be destroyed unless they can show among themselves an example of true

love Love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest interpersonal affection, to the simplest pleasure. An example of this range of meanings is that the love o ...

. The characters of Lia and Jean are introduced as the best evidence, but over the course of the play their fidelity erodes, ending with Lia's seemingly wanton betrayal of Jean. Lasting love of any kind appears impossible. Inevitably, divine judgment condemns the two cities, and mankind itself, for failing to prove the existence of even one happy couple.

Original production

''Sodom and Gomorrah'' was first performed on 11 October 1943 in Paris at the

Théâtre Hébertot Théâtre Hébertot () is a theatre at 78, boulevard des Batignolles, in the 17th arrondissement of Paris, France. History The theatre, completed in 1838 and opening as the Théâtre des Batignolles, was later renamed Théâtre des Arts in 190 ...

in a production by

Georges Douking Georges Douking (born Georges Ladoubée; 6 August 1902 – 20 October 1987) was a French stage, film, and television actor. He also directed stage plays such as the premier presentation of Jean Giraudoux's ''Sodom and Gomorrah'' at the Thé ...

. With a cast that included the popular French stars

Edwige Feuillère Edwige Feuillère (born Edwige Louise Caroline Cunatti; October 29, 1907 – November 13, 1998) was a French stage and film actress. Biography She was born Edwige Louise Caroline Cunatti to an Italian architect father and an Alsace-born mo ...

as Lia and

Gérard Philipe Gérard Philipe (born Gérard Albert Philip, 4 December 1922 – 25 November 1959) was a prominent French actor who appeared in 32 films between 1944 and 1959. Active in both theatre and cinema, he was, until his early death, one of the main ...

as Jean, this original production was a commercial success and ran for over two hundred performances.

References

{{Authority control Plays by Jean Giraudoux 1943 plays Sodom and Gomorrah