[“The Purging”] is a one-act comedy in prose. It was first performed on 12 April 1910 at the Théâtre des Nouveautés (Paris), published in

(20 August 1910), printed by the Librairie théâtrale in 1914, and then in the

of Feydeau in 1950.

The curtain rises on Monsieur Follavoine's study. He is a manufacturer of chamber pots hoping to make a deal with the French Army. He therefore chooses to entertain a number of people who might be important for his business: Adhéaume Chouilloux, an army officer; Clémence Chouilloux, his wife; and Horace Truchet, Madame Chouilloux's lover. Follavoine is expecting his guests any minute, but his wife, Julie, is not yet dressed. Instead, she is pacing around the flat holding a bucket and

600 words

Citation: Benhamou, Noëlle. "On purge Bébé!". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 03 October 2006 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=16927, accessed 03 December 2024.]