ABSTRACT
L’École des femmes was first played at the Palais Royal on 26 December 1662 for the town audience. Molière’s company and the Italians had moved to the new theatre after the demolition of the Petit-Bourbon had commenced late in 1660, and Louis’ concern that the troupes be adequately rehoused suggests the extent to which Molière’s company had succeeded with the court. Les Fâcheux, created in the summer of 1661 for the entertainment of the King at Vaux-le-Vicomte, further established Molière in the royal favour, but its success pointed too obviously, and expensively, in the direction of music and dance for it to set the pattern of the repertoire at the Palais Royal.1 This was a work which would be frequently revived, despite higher ticket prices, au double, to cover the expense of production, but could not be regarded as a staple in the diet of the town audience.
