Comedy of Manners, sometimes referred to as comedy of morals, is a theatrical genre focusing on the social behaviors, manners, and conventions of a particular society or social class. It presents a satirical and witty portrayal of manners, etiquette, and interactions, highlighting the hypocrisy, pretensions, and absurdities of the social order. The comedy arises from the clash between characters adhering to social norms and the humorous situations that arise when those norms are challenged or subverted. This genre often explores themes of love, marriage, courtship, social status, and the pursuit of wealth and reputation, and it emerged with plays by Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, and Molière.
Comedy of Character mocks individual flaws, while Comedy of Manners satirizes societal excesses. While Comedy of Character is more timeless, Comedy of Manners is more rooted in a specific era. It features witty dialogue, social satire, and a focus on upper-class manners, entertaining audiences with clever wit and satire, often involving romantic plots and characters who are members of the aristocracy or upper middle class. The humor often arises from characters’ preoccupation with status, reputation, and etiquette, and their tendency to judge others based on these factors, along with engaging in clever wordplay, irony, and sarcasm.
Alice and Luke have been waiting for years to adopt a baby. Finally, the big day has arrived. The social worker from the Child Welfare agency is expected any minute for a final visit to assess the stability of their relationship, their motivation to adopt, and the child’s future living conditions. But disaster strikes as Alex isn’t home which risks jeopardising everything. Fred must find a way to handle this delicate situation, made worse by a sudden plumbing emergency. Unless the arrival of the plumber provides part of the solution …
Since his first novel was published and won the Goncourt Prize, Alexander has enjoyed a reputation as a successful author, and is reaping the benefits. He is expected at the Ministry of Culture to be awarded with the insignia of Knight of Arts and Letters. Then, he receives a visit from a stranger who could jeopardize his success...
Khalid meets his fiancee Diana's parents for the first time. Irritated by his future in-laws' condescending attitude and their obnoxious pride for their pure-blood French ancestry they claim goes back to the Middle Ages, Khalid playfully challenges Diana to prove the authenticity of her heritage with a DNA test. They could never have foreseen the chain reaction triggered by the surprising outcome of this test ...
A bag full of banknotes can help to provide a lavish gay wedding for one's son. However, ill-gotten gains never bring lasting benefits...
Peter and Karen have invited a couple they met at a restaurant, with whom they vaguely get along, for drinks. But since then, they've all had time to sober up, and they realise they don't have much in common to share. It looks like it might be a long evening. Unless...
A journalist visits a playwright on the down and out for an interview that could launch his comeback. But in the world of theatre, appearances can be deceiving…
In a small bookstore, a book signing event is being prepared. Charles has finally decided to publish his first novel. Everything suggests that it won't be a bestseller. But in the era of the internet, a miracle is always possible...