Don't Dress For Dinner - Synopsis

Synopsis

Act 1

In a renovated French farmhouse about a two-hour drive from Paris, Bernard is hoping to send his wife, Jacqueline, to her mother's for the weekend, in hopes he can romance his mistress, Suzanne, a Parisian model. Bernard has hired a Cordon Bleu cook, Suzette, and as an alibi invited his friend Robert to dinner.

While Bernard is upstairs, the telephone rings. Jacqueline answers; it's the Bon Appetit catering agency confirming Suzette is on her way, which alerts her that something is up. Then Robert calls and Jacqueline again answers. He tells Jacqueline he is spending the weekend, a fact unknown to her. As Robert and Jacqueline talk on the phone, it becomes obvious that they are having an affair.

Jacqueline tells Bernard her mother has the flu and that she has cancelled their visit. Bernard panics, and when Robert arrives, he tells his friend about his affair with Suzanne. Since she is arriving at any minute, Bernard commands Robert against his will to tell Jacqueline that "Suzy" is his girlfriend.

While Bernard and Jacqueline are out buying groceries, Suzy arrives -- but it's the caterer, not the mistress. Robert doesn't realize, and introduces Suzette as his girlfriend when Bernard and Jacqueline return. Bernard is furious because of the mix-up, and Jacqueline feels betrayed because she thought she was Robert's only mistress.

Bernard and Robert secretly talk to Suzette, and for extra money she agrees to play Robert's mistress. Suzanne arrives, alerted to the fact that she now has to play the cook. She's outraged but has no option but to play her part. When Jacqueline confronts Robert about Suzette, he avoids disaster by telling Jacqueline that Suzette is really his niece.

Act 2

Robert and Suzette are dancing drunkenly in and out of the room. When they have gone Jacqueline voices her frustration at Bernard's affair, which she discovered because of a note signed 'Suzy' and a receipt for a Chanel coat in Bernard's jacket pocket. The coat was a gift for Bernard's mistress. Since the coat was passed off as Suzette's, Jacqueline is sure Bernard's affair is with Suzette.

Suzanne thinks so as well; she and Jacqueline exact revenge on Robert and Suzette by pouring ice on them. Suzanne was satisfied but Jacqueline sprays Bernard with a soda siphon. More hijinks are brought out and confusion about Suzette being Robert's niece is brought to light.

Suzette tells Bernard and Robert that she has a husband, George, who will kill anyone she is seen even suggesting an affair. Jacqueline comes downstairs in a negligee and tells Bernard about her affair. Bernard is mad and threatens to kill the adulterer. Jacqueline discloses Robert's name and all is set for hell when George, Suzette's husband, walks in. George is told to believe Suzette is at another house and that Suzanne is his wife, until Suzette comes out to greet him. After questioning George believes the evening was a game called "Happy Families" and they depart.

After Bernard and Jacqueline go to bed, Suzanne visits Robert's bedroom, claims they should share it and that he deserves a reward for buying her a new Chanel coat {because Suzette took the old one}.