Published by: Prastu Regmi
Published date: 10 Sep 2024
Ferenc Molnar's one-act play "A Matter of Husbands" is extremely twisted. It tells the story of an Ernest woman who is married to a lawyer who knows about a Famous Woman. The Ernest Woman approaches the Famous Woman because she fears her husband is cheating on her with the Famous Woman. The famous woman tells a story about how it was a well-orchestrated act in which the man tried to fool his wife into giving him more devotion. When the Famous Woman finally convinces the Ernest Woman that the narrative is true, we discover that the husband had been lurking in the closet the entire time.
This play would just need two female actresses. Our ensemble has numerous great comedic female actresses who might play these roles too dramatically. The bond between the two will need to develop, and both performers must be at ease with one another. I don't think either of the characters in this one act is particularly appealing. The actor portraying the Ernest Woman would have to be very ditzy and naïve, while the Famous Woman would have to be cruel and twisted.
This one acts as a set; nothing showy, but enough to give a moderately realistic atmosphere. Lighting would be really basic and normal. I believe that blocking may enhance this composition and give another depth of humorous comedy to it. In terms of costume, I envision the Famous Woman wearing a floor-length gown with matching gloves and a fur coat, and the Ernest Woman wearing a drab dress with white shoes that have socks poking out. I believe that the costuming will assist in introducing the characters before they ever speak. With only one act, there isn't much time for character development, therefore every way to convey something about the characters is essential.
1. Sketch the character of Famous Actress.
ans: The Famous Actress is a young, well-known, and attractive actress who is envied by regular women. On the surface, she appears innocent and harmless, but in truth, she is cruel and vicious. She is crafty and deceptive, as evidenced by the way she fabricates a story to persuade the woman that her husband is having an affair with her. She also leads an immoral life, as evidenced by the ending of the novel, which reveals that Alfred, the ordinary woman's husband, was present in her home.
2. The conversation between the two women takes place on the stage of the theatre. What role does the theatre house as a part of the setting play in A Matter for Husband?
ans: The setting is a drawing room, and the style and color scheme are exotic and indicative of the famous Hungarian actress's residence, where this dialogue takes place. When the curtain opens, the Earnest Young Woman is shown, perched anxiously on the edge of a gilded chair. She appears to have been sitting there for quite some time. For probably the fiftieth time, she examines the room's contents and looks at the curtained door with a look that would be impatient if it weren't so visibly terrified. Finally, the Famous Actress enters her boudoir via the curtained door on the right side.
3. What do you think about the ending of the play?
ans: The ending of the play 'A Matter of Husbands' is absolutely beautiful. And it quietly justifies the play's ending. The writer's climax to this piece is poignant. He completes the entire nonplus of the play's character. All of the characters are satisfied with one another. The film actress and advocate are quite pleased at the end of the show. They overcome the obstacle between them. They assure her that they have no affair; it is all drama for you. By the end of the play, the young woman is overjoyed about her husband. The film actress and the spouse of a young woman live together without any problems. The play's ending is too good, yet it is also full of irony. The film actress tells a young woman that her husband truly loves her, but that he has no feelings for his wife. He simply cheated on his wife.
So, at the end of the play 'A Matter of Husbands', we can conclude that "All is well, the end is well." Innocent people are frequently victimized by smart people because they are often true in their hearts, but cunning people always use their innocence.