Horse Eats Hat

The horse of the rich idler Fadinard cheekily eats Madame Beauperthuis’s straw hat while she’s enjoying herself in the woods with the policeman Tavernier. Although it doesn’t seem particularly tragic at first, this equine snack has dramatic consequences. Because if Madame goes home without her hat, her jealous husband will learn about her secret liaison with the policeman! The red-handed lovers immediately demand a replacement hat. So—on the very day of his own wedding—Fadinard rushes all over Paris in search of an identical straw hat. His efforts are repeatedly thwarted, and not just by his own bumbling family. The constant presence of Madame Beauperthuis, who wants to make sure he keeps his promise, in turn arouses the jealousy of his bride Hélène. And then, not only does the cuckolded husband show up, but also the policeman Tavernier who’s itching for a duel—thus completing the imbroglio.


Directing Eugène Labiche’s fast-paced comedy is Herbert Fritsch, with German musician Herbert Grönemeyer returning to his theatrical roots by composing a cheerful, at times heart-rending work for a large ensemble, involving actors, opera singers, choir, and orchestra. It’s huge fun with a doubly unmistakable Herbertian signature!

BY THE WAY
There’s even more Herbert Fritsch on 29 November, with the season’s second symphony concert!

For if the woman in question returns home without her hat, her jealous husband will come to know of her   ing with a policeman. The woman and her lover follow Fadinard into his house and demand compensation for the hat that was eaten. To complicate matters, they demand an identical hat and hole up in his house until they receive their compensation. In the meantime, the wedding guests have arrived and are ready to party. Fadinard’s bride celebrated her bachelorette party the night before and has one hell of a hangover. But on his wedding day Fadinard finds himself running all over Paris in search of a substitute hat. The guests follow Fadinard all across town. They have no idea of his mission. And the further they go, the bigger the party becomes. In the end, Fadinard and his bride may be married, but chaos reigns all around them.