Le Petit-Maître corrigé is a three-act romantic comedy by French playwright Marivaux. It was first performed on November 6, 1734, by the Comédie-Française in Paris. In this production Clément Hervieu-Léger makes the eighteenth century resonate with our era, all the more so given that the language is “simpler than in other Marivaux plays, while still as refined, precise and full of humour”. The story is that of a young Parisian whose parents have found a good match for him, a count’s daughter. But when he goes to visit her in her country home, the handsome boy – whose Parisian manners are far removed from the rules of decorum that reign in the provinces – cannot open his heart to his lovely intended. Stung, the latter decides to punish his arrogance while a former lover arrives to prevent the marriage. Between the alliance of master and manservant, and the complicity of mistress and maid, a romantic intrigue ensues full of light-hearted conspiracies and feverish emotions.

Rosimond est un petit maître vaniteux aux manières ridicules. Accompagné de son valet et alter ego Frontin, il vient à la campagne rencontrer sa future femme, Hortense, jeune comtesse provinciale. Le mariage étant arrangé, le jeune homme n'a pas l'intention de s'abaisser à courtiser sa promise, ni de lui témoigner le moindre amour, sentiment qu'il juge ridicule pour son rang et totalement dépassé. Mais Hortense, jeune fille cultivée et volontaire, ne l'entend pas de cette oreille. Très amoureuse, elle refuse de se donner à Rosimond si celui-ci ne se corrige pas.