A comedy of manners and a satire on English aristocratic society in the 18th century. In the center of the story is the relationship of a recent provincial (now Lady Teasle) with more experienced members of Lady Sneerwell's salon. The performance "School of Scandal", staged at the Moscow Art Theater named after M. Gorky, was once called by critics "a masterpiece of grace and irony."
A fragment of the preface by Mikhail Lozinsky, published in the book "School of Scandal" (1953):
“Richard Brinsley Sheridan, one of the most brilliant men of his time, ascended to the pinnacle of fame and died in poverty, went down in history as a prominent politician, representative of English liberalism, and as a wonderful comedian. The “School of Scandal” created by him is generally recognized as the greatest comedy of manners, a masterpiece that restored its rights at a time when sentimental melodrama still dominated the English stage, a cheerful English comedy, giving it a new brilliance. For more than two centuries, the intrigues of Lady Sneerwell, Sir Joseph Surfes, Mrs. Candar and Sir Benjamin Backbite have entertained theater audiences in all countries of the world, and sparkling and witty dialogues are an adornment not only of Sheridan's comedy, but of all English literature. In her youth, Lady Sneerwell herself became a victim of slander and now knows no greater pleasure than to reduce the reputation of others to the level of her own. In the circle of her own kind, she ridicules other people's shortcomings, spreads false rumors and witty exaggerates true rumors. Usually this destroyer of good names speaks evil for pleasure, but now she also pursues personal gain.
A fragment of the book by Yuri Kargalitsky “Sheridan R.B. Dramatic works "(1956):
The "School of Scandal" required a long and hard work from the playwright. On the last page of the manuscript, Sheridan wrote instead of the traditional "end": "Finished, thank God!" The prompter of the Drewry Theatre, who had long been waiting for the new comedy of his director, wrote at the bottom with no less relief: "Amen." The troupe's expectations were not in vain.
Fragment of the article by Roman Dolzhansky "Theatrical novel by Mikhail Yanshin", published in the newspaper "Kommersant" (02.11.2002):
<...>“Most people probably remember Mikhail Yanshin the way his television recording of the famous performance “Solo for Chilling Clock” recorded: a sedate, slightly imposing old man with a pleasant round face and a slightly hoarse deep voice, a wise and sensitive person, lonely, touching and slightly confused because life has already passed, but good-natured and comfortable, causing not compassion, but trust. It is not for nothing, apparently, that the great Moscow Art Theater, to which Mikhail Yanshin belonged, were officially called old people: they all very organically survived the passing of youth, turned experience and age into virtues, harmoniously building their stage biographies.<...>
No matter what happens, young actors will always be told about the so-called second generation of the Moscow Art Theatre, pupils of the second studio of the Moscow Art Theater, who in 1924 declared themselves in the Days of the Turbins and then became the main actors of the Soviet Gorky Moscow Art Theater. They will always talk about Yanshin,<...>he played quite a few touching or funny clowns, always painted in lyrical tones, unexpectedly becoming related, for example, to the merchant from Ostrovsky's play and the aristocrat from Sheridan's "School of Scandal". Approximately the same Mikhail Yanshin always played in the movies. Films and performances were successful, sometimes passing, but it is obvious that the charm of the actor remained omnipotent. And it is pointless today to discuss the mystery of the talent of these great actors: there were such unique, organic works of nature, and that's it. You can't add or subtract anything."<...>
The play opens with a scene in the salon of high-society schemer Lady Sneerwell discussing with her confidant Snake recent achievements in the field of aristocratic intrigues. These achievements are measured by the number of reputations ruined, weddings canceled, incredible rumors circulating, and so on. Lady Sniral's salon is the holy of holies in the school of slander, and only a select few are admitted there. Herself, "wounded in her early youth by the poisonous sting of slander," the hostess of the salon now does not know "greater pleasure" than to defame others.
This time, the interlocutors chose a very respectable family as a victim. Sir Peter Teasle was the guardian of the two Surfes brothers and at the same time raised his adopted daughter Mary. The younger brother, Charles Surface, and Maria fell in love. It was this union that Lady Sneerwell planned to destroy, not allowing the matter to be brought to a wedding. To Snake's question, she explains the background of the case: the elder Surfes, Joseph, is in love with Mary - or her dowry, who resorted to the help of an experienced slanderer, having met a happy rival in his brother. Lady Sneeruel herself has a heartfelt weakness for Charles and is ready to sacrifice a lot in order to win him. She gives both brothers sober references. Charles is a "reveler" and a "squanderer". Joseph is “a cunning, selfish, treacherous person”, “a sweet-talking rogue”, in whom others see a miracle of morality, while his brother is condemned.
Soon, the “sweet-talking rogue” Joseph Serfes himself appears in the living room, followed by Maria. Unlike the hostess, Maria does not tolerate gossip. Therefore, she can hardly bear the company of recognized masters of slander who come for a visit. This is Mrs Candar, Sir Backbite and Mr Crabtree. Undoubtedly, the main occupation of these characters is the washing of bones by their neighbors, and they own both the practice and the theory of this art, which they immediately demonstrate in their chatter. Naturally, it goes to Charles Surfes, whose financial situation, by all accounts, is absolutely deplorable.
Sir Peter Teasle, meanwhile, learns from his friend, the former butler of the Surfes Rawley father, that Joseph and Charles' uncle, Sir Oliver, a wealthy bachelor, whose inheritance both brothers hope for, has come from the East Indies.
Sir Peter Teasle himself married a young lady from the provinces just six months before the events described. He suits her father. After moving to London, the newly-made Lady Teasle immediately began to study secular art, including regularly attending the salon of Lady Sneerwell. Joseph Surfes lavished many compliments on her here, seeking to enlist her support in his matchmaking with Mary. However, Lady Teasle accepted young man for his ardent admirer. Finding Joseph on his knees before Mary, Lady Teasle does not hide her surprise. To correct the oversight, Joseph assures Lady Teazle that he is in love with her and only fears the suspicions of Sir Peter, and to complete the conversation, he invites Lady Teazle to his home - "to look at the library." Inwardly, Joseph is annoyed that he is in "a precarious position."
Sir Peter is really jealous of his wife - but not to Joseph, about whom he has the most flattering opinion, but to Charles.
?? ??????????? You, nurses of the School of Slander,
?? ???????? Bringing slander to beauty,
?? ???????? Is there really not a single one in the world,
?? ???????? So cute and completely different
?? ???????? So that even you praise her
?? ???????? Silence and envy?
?? ???????? Now a sample will appear alive
?? ????????To the harsh judgment of your evil hearts.
?? ???????? Decide for yourself whether the portrait is true,
?? ???????? Or that of Love and Muse is an easy nonsense.
?? ????????Here, O tribe of wise virgins.
?? ??????????O host of matrons, whose anger is merciless,
?? ??????????Whose sharp look and gloomy features
?? ???????? They do not tolerate youth and beauty;
?? ??????????? You are by nature cold;
?? ??????????? You are in a long virginity as fierce as snakes, -
?? ???????? Here, oh, craftswomen to weave slander,
?? ????????Create evidence if there are no rumors!
?? ??????????O you, whose memory, guardian of vice,
?? ????????Everything, except for the fact, knows by heart!
?? ???????? Here, O slanderers, old and young,
?? ????????Walking slander, line up
?? ???????? So that our topic was a counterbalance,
?? ????????? As a hymn - a libel, as a saint - a demon.
?? ?????????? You, Amoretta (this is the name of us
?? ???????? Already familiar from other verses),
?? ??????????Come and you; let the cute heat fall
?? ???????? Your smile will timidly shade,
?? ???????? And, with a gently uncertain face,
?? ????????? Serve me a welcome example.
?? ????????O Muse, if you could create
?? ?????????? Though a weak sketch of this chela,
?? ??????????Happy brush call on the easel
?? ??????????Though the pale fading of these wonderful features,
?? ???????? Poets would sing your genius,
?? ????????? and Reynolds 1
Reynolds - famous English artist late XVIII century, especially famous for his portraits, some of which are mentioned in the following linesI would bow my head
?? ??????????He, in whose art there are more miracles,
?? ???????? Than in the wonders of Nature and Heaven,
?? ??????????He gave Devon a new glow,
?? ???????? Lanitam Granby - the beauty of the new charms!
?? ??????????
?? ???????? Beauty, whose mind despises flattery!
?? ???????? But, glorifying Amoretta, the whole world is right:
?? ???????? Before her, as before the sky, there is no flattery,
?? ???????? And, by a whim of fate, she is alone
?? ??????????Truthfulness of our tend to deny!
?? ??????????From fashion is not more beautiful, painting them yourself,
?? ???????? Just an attraction of taste and mind,
?? ????????Modest in movements, completely alien
?? ???????? And dryness, and violent feelings of the wave,
?? ???????? She does not walk, putting on herself
?? ???????? The face of goddesses or the face of queens.
?? ???????? Her living charm, every time
?? ??????????Does not strike, but captivates us;
?? ???????? That is not greatness, but its features
?? ???????? We will not measure the measure of beauty!
?? ??????????The natural color of her cheeks is so alive,
?? ??????????What, creating this marvel of divas,
?? ?????????? It would be quite possible for a divine creator
?? ??????????? It’s more pale to apply crimson
?? ????????
?? ??????????Shameful Modesty - to serve in return.
?? ???????? And these lips who will sing wine?
?? ????????Deprive them of a smile - anyway!
?? ????????Love itself seems to teach them
?? ????????Movement, although it does not sound on them;
?? ???????? You who see without hearing this speech,
?? ???????? Do not regret that the sound could not flow;
?? ????????Look at...Here is an excerpt from the book.
Only part of the text is open for free reading (restriction of the copyright holder). If you liked the book, the full text can be obtained from our partner's website.
The play begins in Miss Sneerwell's salon, which is the basis of the "school of slander". Its visitors amuse themselves by spreading gossip about others and exercising their sharpness of speech.
Miss Sneerwell tells a friend about the new object of attacks - Charles Surface. The young man had the imprudence to fall in love with his guardian's adopted daughter, Maria. Charles' elder brother, Joseph, is also in love with her. It was he who asked Sneeruel to ruin his brother's reputation in order to upset the marriage. In society, the elder is known as an impeccably polite and pleasant person in all respects, and the younger got the glory of a spendthrift and reveler. The "School of Scandal" willingly gets down to business, and spreads rumors about the deplorable financial situation of Charles.
At the same time, Joseph is trying to enlist the support of the guardian's young wife. However, she takes the young man's attentions for love, so Joseph is forced to play along with her. The guardian of the Surfes brothers, the venerable Sir Teasle, suspects that his wife is cheating on him with one of the wards. However, Teasle is certain that Charles is involved.
The brothers have a rich uncle Oliver, whose fortune after death will go to one of them. He stays in the city in order to determine the heir. Sir Teasle informs him that Joseph is a nice young man, worthy of wealth, and Charles is an unprofitable spender. Oliver Surface decides to secretly find out the characters of both brothers, posing as their distant relative in need of help.
Having met Charles, he recognizes the young man from the other side. The younger Surfes really likes to play cards and drink a lot, but he readily comes to the aid of a poor relative, selling his last things. In addition, he bought the old family estate from his older brother, not allowing it to be sold to strangers.
In the apartment of the senior Staffers, meanwhile, an awkward situation occurs. He is visited by Mr. Teasle, while Mrs. Teasle is forced to hide behind a screen. The younger brother follows, forcing the old guardian to hide in the closet. During the conversation, Teasle realizes that his wife was cheating on him with his older brother. Frustrated that his plan is revealed, Joseph kicks out Uncle Oliver, who appeared under the guise of a poor distant relative.
Having survived two failures in a row, the elder Surface decides to use the last chance to discredit Charles - Miss Sneerwell's salon. However, this time, he fails.
The younger Staffers receives an inheritance and marries Maria. And Joseph and Miss Sneerwell only have to find out which of them is more to blame for the failure.
Picture or drawing Sheridan - School of Scandal
Other retellings and reviews for the reader's diary
- Summary of Vass Zheleznov Gorky
Zheleznova Vassa Borisovna, is the main character of the play. She is forty-two years old. She is the owner of a shipping company, a woman with money and power. Lives with her husband and brother.
- Summary of Bunin Lapti
Ivan Bunin's story "Lapti" is a short story, at first glance, very simple and understandable. This is a story from village life. In a peasant's hut a child rushes about in a fever
- Summary of Turgenev on the Eve
It all starts with a conversation between two friends. Andrei Bersenev yearns in the face of Nature, and Pyotr Shubin rejoices in life, advises to believe in Love. Without this feeling in the outside world everything is cold
- Kassil
Lev Kassil - Soviet writer, who wrote many children's books on which more than one generation of children grew up. His books are warm, kind, bright.
- Summary Ermolaev Best friend
The story of Yuri Ivanovich Ermolaev “The Best Friend” tells that once the boy Kolya left his scooter on the street, and he went home for lunch. He had not even had time to eat yet, when he saw that Vova Chulkov was riding his scooter in the yard.
The play opens with a scene in the salon of high-society intriguer Lady Sneerwell, who discusses with her confidant Snake the latest achievements in the field of aristocratic machinations. These achievements are measured by the number of reputations ruined, weddings canceled, incredible rumors circulating, and so on. Lady Sneerwell's salon is the holy of holies in the school of slander, and only a select few are admitted there. Herself, "wounded in her early youth by the poisonous sting of slander," the hostess of the salon now does not know "greater pleasure" than to defame others.
This time, the interlocutors chose a very respectable family as a victim. Sir Peter Teasle was the guardian of the two Surfes brothers and at the same time raised his adopted daughter Mary. The younger brother, Charles Surface, and Maria fell in love. It was this union that Lady Sneerwell planned to destroy, not allowing the matter to be brought to a wedding. To Snake's question, she explains the background of the case: the elder Surfes, Joseph, is in love with Mary - or her dowry, who resorted to the help of an experienced slanderer, having met a happy rival in his brother. Lady Sneeruel herself has a heartfelt weakness for Charles and is ready to sacrifice a lot in order to win him. She gives both brothers sober references. Charles is a "reveler" and a "squanderer". Joseph is “a cunning, selfish, treacherous person”, “a sweet-talking rogue”, in whom others see a miracle of morality, while his brother is condemned.
Soon, the “sweet-talking rogue” Joseph Serfes himself appears in the living room, followed by Maria. Unlike the hostess, Maria does not tolerate gossip. Therefore, she can hardly bear the company of recognized masters of slander who come for a visit. This is Mrs Candar, Sir Backbite and Mr Crabtree. Undoubtedly, the main occupation of these characters is the washing of bones by their neighbors, and they own both the practice and the theory of this art, which they immediately demonstrate in their chatter. Naturally, it goes to Charles Surfes, whose financial situation, by all accounts, is completely deplorable.
Sir Peter Teasle, meanwhile, learns from his friend, the former butler of the Surfes Rowley father, that the uncle of Joseph and Charles, Sir Oliver, a rich bachelor, whose inheritance both brothers hope for, has come from the East Indies.
Sir Peter Teasle himself married a young lady from the provinces just six months before the events described. He suits her father. After moving to London, the newly minted Lady Teasle immediately began to study secular art, including regularly attending Lady Sneerwell's salon. Joseph Surfes lavished many compliments on her here, seeking to enlist her support in his matchmaking with Mary. However, Lady Teasle mistook the young man for her ardent admirer. Finding Joseph on his knees before Mary, Lady Teasle does not hide her surprise. To correct the oversight, Joseph assures Lady Teazle that he is in love with her and only fears the suspicions of Sir Peter, and to complete the conversation, he invites Lady Teazle to his home - "to take a look at the library." Inwardly, Joseph is annoyed that he is in "a precarious position."
Sir Peter is really jealous of his wife - but not to Joseph, about whom he has the most flattering opinion, but to Charles. The company of slanderers tried to ruin the reputation of the young man, so that Sir Peter does not even want to see Charles and forbids Mary to meet with him. Having married, he lost his peace. Lady Teazl shows complete independence and does not spare her husband's wallet at all. The circle of her acquaintances also upsets him very much. "Lovely company! he remarks of Lady Sneerwell's salon. - Another poor fellow, who was hung up on the gallows, did not do as much evil in his whole life as these peddlers of lies, masters of slander and destroyers of good names.
So, the venerable gentleman is in a good deal of confusion when Sir Oliver Surface comes to him, accompanied by Rowley. He has not yet informed anyone of his arrival in London after an absence of fifteen years, except for Rowley and Teasle, old friends, and now he hurries to make inquiries from them about two nephews whom he had previously helped from afar.
Sir Peter Teasle's opinion is firm: he "vouches for Joseph with his head", as for Charles, he is "a dissolute fellow." Rowley, however, disagrees with this assessment. He urges Sir Oliver to make his own judgment of the Surfes brothers and "test their hearts". And to do this, resort to a little trick ...
So Rowley conceived a hoax, into which he introduces Sir Peter and Sir Oliver. The Surfes brothers have a distant relative, Mr. Stanley, who is now in great need. When he turned to Charles and Joseph with letters for help, the first, although he himself was almost ruined, did everything he could for him, while the second got off with an evasive reply. Now Rowley invites Sir Oliver to personally come to Joseph under the guise of Mr. Stanley - fortunately no one knows him by sight. But that is not all. Rowley introduces Sir Oliver to a usurer who lends money to Charles at interest, and advises him to come to his younger nephew with this usurer, pretending that he is ready to act as a creditor at his request. Plan accepted. True, Sir Peter is convinced that this experience will not give anything new - Sir Oliver will only receive confirmation of the virtue of Joseph and the frivolous extravagance of Charles. The first visit - in the birth of the false creditor Mr. Premium - Sir Oliver inflicts on Charles. A surprise awaits him immediately - it turns out that Charles lives in his father's old house, which he ... bought from Joseph, not allowing his native home to go under the hammer. This is where his troubles began. Now there is practically nothing left in the house, except for family portraits. It is these that he proposes to sell through the usurer.
Charles Surface appears to us for the first time in a cheerful company of friends who pass the time with a bottle of wine and a game of dice. Behind his first remark, an ironic and dashing person is guessed: “... We live in an era of degeneration. Many of our acquaintances are witty, secular people; but damn them, they don't drink!" Friends willingly pick up this topic. At this time, the moneylender comes with "Mr. Premium." Charles comes down to them and begins to convince them of his creditworthiness, referring to a rich East Indian uncle. When he persuades the visitors that his uncle's health has been completely weakened "from the climate there", Sir Oliver becomes silently furious. He is even more infuriated by his nephew's willingness to part with family portraits. "Ah, waster!" he whispers to the side. Charles only laughs at the situation: “When a person needs money, then where the hell can he get it if he starts to stand on ceremony with his own relatives?”
Charles and his friend are playing a comic auction in front of the "buyers", stuffing the price of deceased and living relatives, whose portraits are quickly going under the hammer. However, when it comes to an old portrait of Sir Oliver himself, Charles flatly refuses to sell it. "No, dummies! The old man was very nice to me, and I will keep his portrait as long as I have a room to shelter him. Such stubbornness touches Sir Oliver's heart. He increasingly recognizes in his nephew the traits of his father, his late brother. He is convinced that Charles is a carnivore, but kind and honest by nature. Charles himself, having barely received the money, hurries to give the order to send one hundred pounds to Mr. Stanley. Having easily accomplished this good deed, the young life-burner again sits down at the bones.
In the living room of Joseph Surfes, meanwhile, a piquant situation develops. Sir Peter comes to him to complain about his wife and Charles, whom he suspects of having an affair. In itself, this would not have been scary if Lady Teazle had not been hiding behind a screen here in the room, who had come even earlier and did not have time to leave in time. Joseph tried in every possible way to persuade her to "neglect the conventions and opinions of the world", but Lady Teasle unraveled his deceit. In the midst of a conversation with Sir Peter, the servant announced a new visit - Charles Surface. Now it was Sir Peter's turn to hide. He rushed behind the screen, but Joseph hurriedly offered him a closet, reluctantly explaining that a certain milliner had already occupied the place behind the screen. The conversation of the brothers thus takes place in the presence of the Teasles hidden in different corners, which is why each remark is colored with additional comic shades. As a result of the overheard conversation, Sir Peter completely abandons his suspicions about Charles and is convinced, on the contrary, of his sincere love to Mary. Imagine his amazement when, in the end, in search of the “modiste”, Charles overturns the screen, and behind it - oh damn! Lady Teazle shows up. After a silent scene, she courageously tells her husband that she came here, succumbing to the "insidious exhortations" of the owner. Joseph himself can only babble something in his own defense, invoking all the art of hypocrisy available to him.
Soon the intriguer will face a new blow - in frustrated feelings, he brazenly escorts the poor petitioner Mr. Stanley out of the house, and after a while it turns out that Sir Oliver himself was hiding under this mask! Now he was convinced that in Joseph there was "neither honesty, nor kindness, nor gratitude." Sir Peter adds to his characterization by calling Joseph low, treacherous and hypocritical. Joseph's last hope is for Snake, who promised to testify that Charles swore his love to Lady Sneerwell. However, at the decisive moment, this intrigue bursts. Snake shyly reveals in front of everyone that Joseph and Lady Sneerwell "paid extremely generously for this lie, but, unfortunately," he was then "offered twice as much to tell the truth." This "impeccable swindler" disappears in order to continue to use his dubious reputation.
Charles becomes Sir Oliver's sole heir and receives Mary's hand, cheerfully promising that he will not go astray again. Lady Teasle and Sir Peter reconcile and realize that they are quite happily married. Lady Sneerwell and Joseph can only squabble with each other, finding out which of them showed more "greed for villainy", which is why the whole well-conceived case lost. They retire under Sir Oliver's mocking advice to marry: "Lean oil and vinegar - by God, it would be great together."
As for the rest of the Gossip College, Mr. Backbite, Lady Candar, and Mr. Crabtree, no doubt they are comforted by the rich gossip food they have learned from the whole story. Already in their retellings, Sir Peter, it turns out, found Charles with Lady Teazle, grabbed a pistol - "and they shot at each other ... almost simultaneously." Now Sir Peter lies with a bullet in his chest and is also pierced with a sword. “But surprisingly, the bullet hit the little bronze Shakespeare on the mantelpiece, bounced off at right angles, punched through the window, and wounded the postman, who was just approaching the door with a registered letter from Northamptonshire!” And it does not matter that Sir Peter himself, alive and well, calls gossipers furies and vipers. They chirp their deepest sympathy for him, and bow with dignity, knowing that their lessons in backbiting will continue for a very long time to come.
retold
