Leonce and Léna

Leonce and Léna ( Leonce und Lena - Ein Lustspiel ) is a comedy in three acts of Georg Büchner, written in 1836.

Summary

Leonce , crown prince, who to escape a marriage with an unknown princess decide to flee with his servant, Valério. The princess, Léna , also little enchanted, also flee with her controlling. He does not want to return in the row, it refuses a union for reason of State. Their running away and their destiny cross, between dream and reality, the time of night odd where the desire of love and the desire of death are woven. The following day, without knowing which they is reciprocally, they return each one on their side to the castle of the father of Leonce where the marriage must take place, Leonce and Lena will end up lining up in the place which was assigned to them, while continuing to be unaware of all one of the other.

It is there that they learn with their amazement which is the different one. The marriage takes place, and in the joy, Leonce and Léna being in love one with the other.

Philosophy in work

All along the work, the dialogs between Leonce and Valério, on the utility of the life for example, and on the manner of earning its living (" Who works is a gredin" we announce the protagonists), at the same time make us laugh and reflect.

The history of Leonce and Léna is that of any individual confronted with the choices imposed by the life in society. Eternal questions: why and how to live? Which place for our individual freedom, our independence vis-a-vis the social constraints?

Representations

1963 : Münchner Kammerspiele, Munich, put in scene of Fritz Kortner
1995: One World Production, film of Michael Klemm
2003: Berliner Ensemble, Berlin, put in scene of Robert Wilson, music of Herbert Grönemeyer, with Stefan Kurt and Nina Hoss
2007: Mariaberger Heime and Theater Lindenhof Melchingen, put in scene of Oliver Moumouris and Stefan Hallmayer
2007: National theater of Chaillot

External bond

'' Leonce und Lena '' (German text)

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