About the book: 1965 / Almost all the significant works of Alphonse Daudet saw the light of the stage. Stagings of his novels, made by other writers or, earlier, by the writer himself, were successfully performed in theaters in Paris. But only one “dramatization” of a short story from “Letters from the Mill” was destined to win immortality on the stage of the whole world. And on the posters, next to the name of Daudet, there is always the name of Georges Bizet, who created music that was loved both in the theater and on the concert stage. In 1872, Daudet brought “Arleznanka” to the Vaudeville theater. The actors received the play well and rehearsed with enthusiasm. However, even during rehearsals, Daudet had a doubt: would the Parisians understand the simple-minded drama of a patriarchal peasant family, playing out in such an unusual setting for the viewer? In addition, the theater prepared too luxurious “opera” costumes and scenery. Daudet’s excitement intensified. “In the end, I bet everything on the card that I found in Montauban,” he wrote to Timoleon Ambrois. The premiere took place in September. At first the audience was perplexed, waiting for the “main character” to appear, then they began to laugh. The owner of Figaro, Vilmessan, left the hall with the words: “How can you watch a play where there are only old women!” The “friendly kiss” between Balthazar and Grandma Reno caused especially loud laughter..