La Bete

La Bête
2000 University of Hawaii-Kennedy Theatre production window card
Written by	David Hirson
Date premiered	February 10, 1991
Place premiered	Eugene O'Neill Theatre New York City
Original language	English
Genre	Comedy
Setting	1654. Pezenas, France. Languedoc. Prince Conti's Estate.

La Bête (1991) is a comedy by American playwright, David Hirson. Written in rhymed couplets of iambic pentameter, the Molière-inspired story, set in 17th century France, pits dignified, stuffy Elomire, the head of the royal court-sponsored theatre troupe, against the foppish, frivolous street entertainer Valere, whom the troupe's patron, Prince Conti, wishes them to bring aboard. Despite Elomire's violent objections, the company is forced to perform one of Valere's own plays, which results in dramatic changes to the future of Elomire, Valere, and the company itself.

Following 15 previews, the Broadway production, produced by Stuart Ostrow and Andrew Lloyd Webber and directed by Richard Jones, opened on February 10, 1991 at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, where it ran for only 25 performances. The cast included Dylan Baker, Michael Cumpsty, John Michael Higgins, Tom McGowan, William Mesnik, and Suzie Plakson.

The subsequent West End production was a critical and commercial success and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy. The London cast included Alan Cumming, Jeremy Northam, Timothy Walker and Simon Treves.

Despite its failure on Broadway, the play has been a popular choice of regional theatre groups throughout the years.