Richard Wilbur has now published a new translation of Corneille's Theatre of Illusion (L'Illusion Comique). The New York Sun has a review:
"The Theatre of Illusion" lacks the heroic sweep of Corneille's best work, such as "Le Cid." Yet Mr. Wilbur lavishes wit on his translation, as in this couplet spoken by a maidservant who ridicules a cowardly soldier: "In terms less diplomatic / I'd say you fled in terror to the attic." Concise, pithy rendering of difficult French verse is Mr. Wilbur's trademark, as in the maidservant's further reflection: "Women gain nothing by a jealous scene; / It only makes a man more libertine." Sometimes Mr. Wilbur adds improvements, as when the braggart soldier is told, "Hush, blatherskite." The literal French original is rather plain "Not a sound" ("Point de bruit"). Sometimes Mr. Wilbur's couplets seem to be more forceful than the original, as in the following praise of the wizard: "Mysterious forces drive this old man's heart, / And all his steps are miracles of art." The original, less exact French rhyme reads: "des ressorts inconnus agitent le vieillard, / et font de tous ses pas des miracles de l'art."As with Wilbur's previous translations of French verse dramas, his Theatre of Illusion is likely to lead to a series of new stage productions of this venerable comedy.
Tony Kushner (Angels in America) wrote his own adaptation of the play, which was staged by BareBones Theatre Group in 2002.
