Translated by Peter Linka

Synopsis: Confined to a hospital bed in the farthest reaches of Africa, the great French poet Arthur Rimbaud spends his time harrassing the nurse and penning letters to the local Emperor, demanding compensation for his duties as a gun-runner. He receives an unexpected visit from the love of his life, the even greater French poet Paul Verlaine, whom he hasn't seen in eighteen years. Their strained reunion -- strained because the last time they were together Verlaine shot Rimbaud -- is made worse by the arrival of Verlaine's son and first wife, who have their own scores to settle with both men. When it turns out the tumour on Rimbaud's knee is malignant and inoperable, he realizes the time has come to set matters straight with his various visitors.

Arthur and Paul is a witty, wise, and highly theatrical speculation on how one of the most fervent literary love affairs of all might really have ended -- not with a bang, but with one last grand gesture.

Performance rights must be secured before production.

Arthur and Paul was premiered at the Madách Theatre, Budapest in 1995.