Play: Patate

Introduction
"Patate", a three-act play composed by Marcel Achard in 1957, is a comedic and moving story that takes place in post-World War II France. The play, which has been translated into English as "Poor Bitos", revolves around the life of Patate, a sensitive and misconstrued guy who dreams of leaving his humdrum presence. The play stays one of Achard's many popular works and has actually been performed on stage and adapted for movie and tv many times.

Plot Summary
The play begins in a little French town, where Patate is a physically unappealing however intelligent and sensitive worker at a law office led by the stringent and enforcing Maitre Claude. Patate loves Madeleine, a beautiful girl who works as an assistant at the firm, however his feelings towards her are not reciprocated. Madeleine is engaged to Raymond, a good-looking and charming young lawyer who is the star student of Maitre Claude. Unbeknownst to Patate, Raymond is privately computing to take over the law practice and wants to eliminate his competitors, which he sees in Patate.

Patate's life changes when he meets Bitos, a kind and strange guy who offers him a way to accomplish his dreams and dominate Madeleine's heart. Bitos informs Patate about a wonderful potion that, once taken in, will change him into a good-looking and charming guy who has the power to seduce any female he desires. Desperate to win Madeleine's love and escape from his dog's life, Patate chooses to drink the potion.

Transformation and New Life
As promised, the potion works its magic, and Patate is transformed into a dashing and appealing male. With Bitos' help, he begins a brand-new life in Paris under the name "Paul", an advanced and successful legal representative. Patate manages to seduce Madeleine, who falls for him, uninformed that he is really the same guy she as soon as understood. However, Patate's newly found success and joy come at an expense - he is now trapped in a presence where he can never ever expose his real identity, as he fears losing whatever if the reality about his past and the magical potion were to become known.

Battles and Revelation
As Patate enjoys his new life and love, he has a hard time internally with keeping his secret from Madeleine. He also becomes progressively knowledgeable about the cruel and manipulative nature of Raymond, who has actually continued his plot to take control of the law firm and has actually started exploiting Madeleine for his own gain. Torn in between his love for Madeleine and his growing regret and desperation, Patate finally chooses to tell her the truth about his improvement and his past.

Anticipating Madeleine to choose to reject him, Patate is surprised and relieved when she admits her love for him and applauds his guts and sincerity. She explains that she was never ever truly delighted with Raymond and that her feelings for Patate were genuine, even though she did not completely understand them at the time.

Conclusion
In the end, Raymond's plans and aspiration show to be his own undoing. His adjustments are exposed, and Maitre Claude takes back control of the law practice, shooting Raymond in the process. Patate and Madeleine remain together, now recognizing the value of love and truth over superficial charm and ambition.

"Patate" is a touching and funny play that addresses styles such as love, identity, and the value of being real to oneself. Through the character of Patate, Marcel Achard explores the complexities of humanity, demonstrating that our worth should not be determined by our look, however by our actions and the love we have for one another.