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In his youth MoliEre joined the BEjart troupe of professional actors. Madeleine BEjart was for years his mistress, but in 1662 he scandalized many by marrying Armande BEjart, who was either Madeleine's younger sister or her daughter. The little company, headed by MoliEre and called the Illustre ThEAtre, settled (1643) in Paris, but their venture failed (1645), and they spent the next 13 years touring the provinces. They returned in triumph with a performance of MoliEre's Le Docteur amoureux for Louis XIV. Under royal patronage this troupe, performing at the Palais Royal, enjoyed continuous success; it is known as the ancestor of the ComEdie FranCaise. MoliEre had, nevertheless, to contend with rivalry from the HOtel de Bourgogne and with cries of impiety and slander from critics and other authors.
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