by Ludvig Holberg
Adapted by Jerry Argetsinger
(For production by Professional, Amateur and Educational theatres.)
Christmas parties were held after Christmas when the religious celebrations were over. They traditionally recalled the Heathen Days of Denmark and were notorious for their lack of restraint. Guests often came in costume and behaved with abandon. One of the things Holberg considered most ridiculous was the marrying of old men to young women. How could such a thing not result in affairs of the heart? It is Twelfth Night in the Jutland village of Aebletoft and the young wife, Leonora, is anticipating a raucous Christmas party where she can slip away with the handsome young Leander. She is devastated to learn that her pious old husband, Jeronimus, has declared there shall be no such party, the likes of which have been outlawed in Copenhagen. As her maid, Pernille, arranges a tryst, the entire household – her sister-in-law, their six children, their tutor and their servants – conspire to trick Jeronimus into hosting a party in spite of his reservations. As the revelry builds, Leonora and Leander slip away for their rendezvous, but are soon discovered by the outraged Jeronimus. A brawl ensues which is finally contained by the local watchmen who march everyone off to jail.
PLAY DETAILS:
- 4 Males 3 Women 6 Children (3 boys, 3 girls ages about 4 – 12) Several Men and Women (party guests and watchmen)
- Order #3112
Available for production!
PERUSAL COPIES
- The PERUSAL PAGES file for The Christmas Party is available by clicking ChristmasPartyPERUSAL The PDF file is the first half of the play and all other pertinent information about the play.
- EMAIL us for rights and information. Be sure to give us anticipated performance dates and the address of your group and, if different, your theatre. Please also include a contact name and phone number.
PURCHASE REHEARSAL MATERIALS:
(Any PDF purchased will be emailed to your email address — if you need to provide that to us (not the one on your PayPal account?), email us. CDs will be mailed to a snail mail address)
- Script in PDF format — Order #3112a : $20.00 (from which you will be authorized to copy for your production)
- First Performance Amateur/Educational Royalty — Order #3112d : $35
- Second Performance Amateur/Educational Royalty — Order #3112e : $25
- Professional Royalties will be quoted upon application
PRODUCTIONS
- Coming Soon
BILLING CREDITS
The following is how the credits should read in all programs, posters, fliers, handbills and other promotional advertising for the show:
The Christmas Party
by Ludvig Holberg
Adapted by Jerry Argetsinger
NOTE: The names of the Playwright(s), Composer, Lyricist, and Bookwriter shall be equal in size, type, coloring, boldness, and prominence. No billing shall appear in type larger or more prominent than the billing to the Authors except for the title of the play.
ALSO:
THIS NOTICE MUST APPEAR IN ALL PROGRAMS, ON ALL POSTERS AND PUBLICITY MATERIALS AND INTERNET ADVERTISING/WEBPAGES FOR THE PLAY:
“The Christmas Party is presented through special arrangement with Leicester Bay Theatricals. All authorized materials are also supplied by LBT, www.leicesterbaytheatricals.com”
Other plays in the Ludvig Holberg Acting Edition Collection
includes: The Political Tinker, Erasmus Montanus, Jeppe of the Hill,
Ulysses of Ithaca, Jean de France, The Christmas Party
From the Catalog of
