Tartuffe: Molière:to October 25th 2003

Tartuffe: by Molière, translated by Christopher Hampton
Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke, October 10th to October 25th 2003.

Mons Sats 7.45 pm; Matinees: Thursday 16th October & Saturday 25th October at 2:00pm
Pay what you Can: 15th October
Page-to-Stage Day: Thursday 16th October from 10:30am
BSL Sign-interpreted performance: Friday 17th October at 7:45pm
Audio-described performance & pre-show Touch Tour: Saturday 25th October during the matinee

Runs 2 hours 05 minutes: One Interval
Tickets 01256 465566: www.haymarket.org.uk
Review Mark Courtice: 15th October 2003

Genuinely funny French swipe at the abusers of our trust
This production of Molière's trenchant swipe at religious hypocrisy makes a great case for the Haymarket's French season. Directed by a Frenchman and full of energy, bitter humour and coruscating indignation this was far cry from our usual English attempts to turn Molière into a lightweight comedian.

There is real pleasure in seeing many of the resident Haymarket company give us a full bore, blasting attack on the dangers of religious hypocrisy; especially when religions the world over seem dedicated to betraying any trust that may be deposited with them. Director Nadouce speaks in the programme note of the play's contemporary importance, his rage at ultimate power in the hands of one man and his .'advisors' .

Pointing this relevance up with modern interpolations like the use of video cameras for instance, did not work. The screens on which images (often of an empty space centre stage the actors being otherwise engaged at the edges) randomly appeared were unnecessary, not clarifying things. 38 primates discussing homosexuality in London made the point anyway.

Generally the acting is fresh, energetic and committed throughout the company. However, except for Karen Ascoe's engaging Dorine, things are slow until Tartuffe appears.

Low slung, stocky and wickedly skewering the unctuous style of those American TV evangelists with an unhealthy interest in pole dancers, Daniel York is genuinely bogus right down to the underwear. He is matched by Ron Meadows' Orgon who is as much a victim of his own enthusiasm as of Tartuffe's treachery. His decline is expressed in an energetic misery so much more interesting than plain stupidity.

Things look good too. The costumes are lush, and play a series of variations on scarlet, with Tartuffe's suits moving from cardinal's crimson to papal purple. A big stage, uncluttered by set, but with a huge frame hanging above it gives the actors room, although a ferocious rake ensures that none of them are too certain of their ground, except for Tartuffe who surfs down it on his knees.

This production is genuinely angry, and because of that genuinely funny, and because of that worth seeing.

Madame Pernelle: Kate Doherty
Elmire: Phoebe Soteriades
Dorine: Karen Ascoe
Damis: Matthew Rixon
Mariane: Catrin Aaron
Clèante: Tom Bevan
Orgon: Ron Meadows
Valère: Oliver Boot
Tartuffe: Daniel York
Monsieur Loyal: Alan Blyton
Laurent: Pieter Lawman
Flipote: Lindsey Bourne

Director: Phillippe Nadouce
Designer: Elroy Ashmore
Lighting Design: Simon Hutchings

2003-10-20 17:38:36