Pamela Giraud

THEATER BY HONORÉ DE BALZAC

XIXth volume of works of Honoré de Balzac edited by widow André Houssiaux, publisher, Hebert and Co, successors, 7 rue Perronet – Paris (1877)

 

PAMELA GIRAUD     Five-act play First performed at the Odéon theater in 1843, then at the Théâtre de la Gaîté in Paris on September 25, 1843. The play was published in 1853.

History Pamela Giraud is the only daughter of a ruined family. Pamela works as a florist. Joseph Binet, an upholsterer whose wealthy uncle wants to set him up on his own, loves Pamela and proposes to her. Pamela’s request is rejected, as she secretly loves Jules Rousseau, a wealthy nobleman involved in a political plot. The latter is accused of conspiracy against the state and will have to stand trial. Only Pamela can save him by giving him an alibi. To do this, she must serve as his alibi and give false testimony, pretending to be his mistress. Jules’ family promises him a large reward, but they are about to forget their promise when a lawyer calls them to order. Here they are, obliged to lavish Pamela with money, as their son suddenly falls in love with her. Joseph Binet is rejected. It’s all about the notoriety of the grisette who has to choose between her love and her honor. But Joseph, the spurned lover, is out for revenge. This melodramatic comedy was rarely performed. There are some good lines, such as: “A lawyer who talks to himself is like a pastry chef who eats his wares”.

Source: Wikipedia.