Un pis al ensanche: Comedia en un acte y en prosa

About this book

The work is a one‑act comedy in prose by José Feliú y Codina, set in a cramped, half‑furnished apartment that serves as the stage. The opening scene sketches the room in meticulous detail, a balcony, a desk, a chair, boxes of books and paintings, then launches into a rapid exchange between the characters Feliú and Font as they argue over the formalities of a marriage contract. Their dialogue is peppered with legal jargon, playful banter, and a succession of questions about whether the bride‑to‑be is truly decided, while the surrounding action, people entering, a card being read, and various side characters such as Carreras and Guadalupe, creates a bustling, almost farcical atmosphere that propels the plot forward without revealing the outcome.

The language is a lively mix of Catalan and Spanish, reflecting the late‑19th‑century theatrical conventions of Barcelona’s popular stage. Its rapid, overlapping speech, frequent asides, and comic misunderstandings give the piece a brisk, improvisational feel. Readers who enjoy witty repartee, period domestic comedy, and a glimpse into the social rituals of marriage negotiations will find the play engaging, while those preferring slower, plot‑driven narratives may be less attracted.

Opening lines

Lo teatro representa una sala. Porta al fondo y á dreta y esquerra. En primer terme d'aquest últim costat, un balcó. A la dreta una taula d'escriptori. A la esquerra un vetlladó y una butaca al seu costat. La sala presenta tot l'aspecte d'una próxima muda de pis: pilas de llibres, quadros despenjats, fótils embalats, etcètera. …

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