The Salonnières

by Liz Duffy Adams

In pre-Revolutionary Paris, Madeleine, a girl fresh from the convent, is promised in marriage to an older nobleman to pay off her father’s debts. She flees to the literary salon of her late mother’s friends, aristocratic women who conceal radical politics within reinvented folk tales. When her promised husband shows up too, the women must use their wits to save Madeleine. But in the end, the maid Françoise is...

In pre-Revolutionary Paris, Madeleine, a girl fresh from the convent, is promised in marriage to an older nobleman to pay off her father’s debts. She flees to the literary salon of her late mother’s friends, aristocratic women who conceal radical politics within reinvented folk tales. When her promised husband shows up too, the women must use their wits to save Madeleine. But in the end, the maid Françoise is revealed as the real hero of a story they didn’t realize they were in.

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The Salonnières

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: The Salonnières by Liz Duffy Adams
    “

    A wonderful story in pre-Revolutionary Paris where some women show they are certainly not damsels in distress as they work for political change and save Madeleine from being sold off. Well done.

    A wonderful story in pre-Revolutionary Paris where some women show they are certainly not damsels in distress as they work for political change and save Madeleine from being sold off. Well done.

    ”
  • Jordan Elizabeth Henry: The Salonnières by Liz Duffy Adams
    “

    This wonderful period piece blew me away with its accessibility, its honoring of story, its depth of character, its crazy-high stakes, and its charm. The ending made me want to stand up and shout; I had fiery grateful feminist tears in my eyes. THE SALONNIERES is full of humor, horror, and badass women. I'm obsessed.

    This wonderful period piece blew me away with its accessibility, its honoring of story, its depth of character, its crazy-high stakes, and its charm. The ending made me want to stand up and shout; I had fiery grateful feminist tears in my eyes. THE SALONNIERES is full of humor, horror, and badass women. I'm obsessed.

    ”
  • Kristen Palmer: The Salonnières by Liz Duffy Adams
    “

    This play is so sharp. I got to hear it read recently and it soared off the page and into my head. It's a wonderful play for the moment - and puts the male canon firmly into the hands of the too long over looked women of its era - with the revolution rumbling just outside the door.

    This play is so sharp. I got to hear it read recently and it soared off the page and into my head. It's a wonderful play for the moment - and puts the male canon firmly into the hands of the too long over looked women of its era - with the revolution rumbling just outside the door.

    ”

Character Information

  • FRANÇOISE
    Francoise is a steely young working-class woman, a maid in an aristocratic household.
    18–25
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • MADELEINE DE SAUVETERRE
    Madeleine is a very young aristocratic woman.
    15–19
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • HENRIETTE, THE COMTESSE DE MARÉ
    Henriette is a wealthy aristocratic youngish widow, apparently silly.
    32–45
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • GABRIELLE, THE MARQUISE D’AULNEY
    Gabrielle is a powerful aristocratic Frenchwoman.
    35–65
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • CLAUDE, THE DUC DE LA BEAUCHENE
    A powerful, authoritative, charming aristocratic Frenchman.
    35–65
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Reading, Flux Theatre Ensemble, 2017
  • Workshop, The Magic Theatre, 2015
  • Reading, Hudson Stage Company, 2015

Production History

  • University, Lehigh University, 2022
  • Professional, Greater Boston Stage Company , 2018