Marius by Marcel Pagnol

This play was first produced in 1929 and set on the waterfront in Marseille. 
It was slow going for me because it is in French, but was well worth
the effort.  The characters are wonderful — Cesar, father of Marius,
owns the bar and alternately screams offensively at his friends and his
son, and is affectionate and loving in the next instant.  Fanny is the
beautiful young shellfish-seller, in love with Marius her whole life. 
And Marius, hopelessly drawn to the life of the sailor.  Oh, the drama
of it all.