The scene is laid in the pit, the candles are already lighted, the musicians are gathered in the orchestra.  The theatre is filled, people talking in confusion, some arriving, etc.

FISCHER, MUeLLER, SCHLOSSER, BOeTTICHER, in the pit

FISCHER.

Say, but I am curious, Herr Mueller, what do you think of today’s play?

MUeLLER.

I should be more likely to expect the sky to fall in than to see such a play at our theatre.

FISCHER.

Do you know the play?

MUeLLER.

Not at all.  A strange title that:  Puss in Boots.  I do hope they’re not going to present that child’s play at the theatre.

SCHLOSS.

Why, is it an opera?

FISCHER.

Anything but that; the bill says:  A Fairy-tale for Children.

SCHLOSS.

A fairy-tale?  But in Heaven’s name, we’re not children, are we, that they want to present such pieces for us?  They certainly won’t put an actual cat on the stage, will they?

FISCHER.

It may turn out to be an imitation of the new Arcadians, a sort of
Terkaleon.

MUeLLER.

Now that wouldn’t be bad, for I’ve been wishing this long while to see some time such a wonderful opera without music.

FISCHER.

Without music it is absurd, for, my dear friend, we’re beyond such childish nonsense, such superstition; enlightenment has borne its natural fruits.

MUeLLER.

It may turn out to be a regular picture of domestic life, and the cat is only a joke, something like a jest, so to speak, a motive, if I may call it that.

SCHLOSS.

To tell you my honest opinion, I take the whole thing to be a trick to spread sentiment among the people, give them suggestions.  You’ll see if I’m not right.  A revolutionary play, as far as I can understand.

FISCHER.

I agree with you, too, for otherwise the style would be horribly offensive.  For my part I must admit I never could believe in witches or spirits, not to mention Puss in Boots.

SCHLOSS.

The age of these phantoms is past.  Why, there comes Leutner; perhaps he can tell us more.

[Leutner pushes himself through the crowd.]

LEUTNER.

Good evening, good evening!  Well, how are you?

MUeLLER.

Do tell us, will you, what sort of play we’re having tonight?

[The music begins.]

LEUTNER.

So late already?  Why, I’ve come in the nick of time.  About the play?  I have just been speaking with the author; he is at the theatre and helping dress the tom-cat.

MANY VOICES.

Is helping?—­The author?—­The cat?  So a cat will appear, after all?

LEUTNER.

Yes, indeed, why his name is even on the bill.

FISCHER.

I say, who’s playing that part?