Don't Dress for Dinner

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Don't Dress for Dinner is a two-act play by French playwright Marc Camoletti that's a sequel to Camoletti's other hit play Boeing Boeing. The play ran in Paris for a little more than two years under the name Pyjamas Pour Six, and also ran in London starring Simon Cadell and Su Pollard.

[edit] Synopsis

In a renovated French farmhouse about a two-hour drive from Paris, Bernard is hoping to pack his wife, Jacqueline, away to her mother's for the weekend so he can romance his mistress, Suzanne, a Parisian model and actress. As an alibi, Bernard has hired a Cordon Bleu-level cook, Suzette, and invited his friend Robert to dinner.

While Bernard is getting the car for Jacqueline, the telephone rings. It's the Bon Appetit catering agency confirming Suzette is on her way. Then Robert calls to tell Bernard he is on his way; as he and Jacqueline talk, it becomes obvious they are having an affair.

Jacqueline tells Bernard her mother has the flu and she has cancelled their visit. Bernard panics, and when Robert arrives, he tells his friend about his affair with Suzanne. Since she is arriving at any minute, Bernard convinces Robert to tell Jacqueline that "Suzy" is his girlfriend.

While Bernard and Jacqueline are out buying groceries, Suzy arrives -- it's the caterer, not the mistress, although Robert doesn't realize it and introduces Suzette as his girlfriend when Bernard and Jacqueline return. Bernard is angry because of the mix-up, and Jacqueline feels betrayed because she thought she was Robert's only mistress.

Bernard and Robert secretly talk to Suzette, and for 400 francs she agrees to play Robert's mistress. When Suzanne arrives, alerted to the fact that she's now the cook. She's outraged but Suzanne agrees to play her part. When Jacqueline confronts Robert about Suzette, he tells her the girl is his niece.

Act 2 begins with Robert and Suzette in the parlor talking and they depart. Jacqueline voices her frustration of Bernard's affair {which she receives info from a note from Suzanne and a receipt for a Chanel coat in Bernard's jacket pocket} Since the coat was made out to be Suzette's Jackie is sure Bernard's affair is with Suzette, Suzanne is thought to believe so as well and they exact revenge on Robert and Suzette with getting ice poured on them. Suzanne was satisfied but Jacqueline sprays Bernard with a soda siphon. More hijinks are brought out and confusion about Suzette being Robert's niece is brought to light. Suzette tells Bernard and Robert that she has a husband who will kill anyone she is seen even suggesting an affair. Jacqueline comes downstairs in a negligee and tells Bernard about her affair. Bernard is mad and threatens to kill the adulterer. Jackie discloses Robert' name and all is set for hell when George, Suzette's husband, walks in. George is told to believe Suzette is at another house and that Suzanne is his wife, until she comes out to greet him. After questioning George is to believe the evening was a game called "Happy Families" and they depart. After Bernard and Jacqueline go to bed. Suzanne visits Robert's bedroom, claims they should share it and that he deserves a reward for buying her a new Chanel coat {because Suzette took the old one}.