TARTUFFE. To 27 May.

Tour

TARTUFFE
by Molière, translated and adapted by Ranjit Bolt

Watermill Theatre Tour to 27 May 2006
Runs 2hr 20min One interval
Review Hazel Brown 29 March 2006 at Lighthouse Poole

A marvellous monster, a witty script and perfect performances – modern Molière at its best.
The Watermill, has produced a gem of a production in Ranjit Bolt’s witty translation of Molière’s play, with a marvelous monster at its heart.

For nearly all the first half of the play, we hear about Tartuffe, who has wormed his way into a 17th century Parisian household. Most of them hate his suppression of joy. However he has enslaved the master of the house, Orgon, who intends to break his word and marry his daughter Mariane to Tartuffe instead of the young Valère.

When he finally appears, Adrian Schiller’s Tartuffe is a true monster, permeated with faux faith and unctuous sentiment. Schiller shows with chilling accuracy his ability to turn on the charm; even at the end his smile convinces that he will be back. The plot revolves around the other members of the household trying to convince Orgon of the truth about Tartuffe, and his final unmasking.

Schiller’s Tartuffe is a man of hypocritical passions, castigating society’s failings, pretending to abhor the sight of women’s breasts, slyly turning away preference or gifts, but still managing to accept them. There is a brilliant mimed scene showing his lust for Orgon’s wife – I shall never feel the same about profiteroles again. McAleer, as his mark Orgon, grovels in excessive eagerness to please this cuckoo in his nest, and rages against his brother-in-law, wife, son, daughter and her companion/servant in blind defence of his protegé. These witty battles are masterpieces of comedy and timing.

Patricia Gannon is a saucy cockney comic as the outspoken maid/companion, Sophie Roberts is charming in her tearful inability to stand up to father, Joseph Chance all blundering bluff as the dispossessed son, Matthew Spencer a splendid young fop of a suitor. John McAndrew is the soul of reason trying to offer the balm rationality while Marty Cruickshank dispenses matronly, unwanted advice majestically from her wheelchair and Catherine Kanter brilliantly ‘sacrifices’ her virtue to try and unmask the hypocrite. A simple set of three doors, two gold chairs and one table implies wealth, while fabulous costumes (including beautiful, handmade shoes) help make an evening to savour.

Damis: Joseph Chance
Mme Pernelle: Marty Cruickshank
Dorine: Patricia Gannon
Monsieur Loyal/Violinist: Tom Jude
Elmire: Catherine Kanter
Orgon: Des McAleer
Cleante: John McAndrew
Laurent/Kings Officer: Chris Porter
Flipote/Violinist: Maria Rallings
Mariane: Sophie Roberts
Tartuffe: Adrian Schiller
Valère: Matthew Spencer

Director: Jonathan Munby
Designer: Mike Britton
Lighting: Oliver Fenwick
Composer: Dominic Haslam
Movement: Katherine Taylor

2006-04-01 08:54:18