May 23, 2006
This was my first encounter with Tartuffe and hopefully not my last. It was one of the most joyous evenings I have spent in the theatre in recent months. You would be hard pressed to find such a witty and entertaining production anywhere in the country.
It can be argued that Moliere is hard for modern British audiences to cope with – the formality of the language, the society his work portrays and the constant use of rhyme is often seen as a barrier. You need have no fear here. Ranjit Bolt has crafted a majestically funny and vibrant translation. The characters spring to life through the rhythm of his language. The rhyming couplets only enhance the humour rather than grating.
In many ways, this is a very modern play. Religious hypocrisy and fraud are perhaps even more prevalent today than in seventeenth century France. Bolt makes subtle references to current attitudes (the search for the ‘middle way’) without compromising the original text.
The production brings out the very best in the translation. All the elements work well – a classically-inspired set, handsome costumes, beautiful lighting and music all fuse to create some moments of theatrical magic. Without wishing to spoil it for future audiences, I have never seen a profiterole used to such effect in my life…
It seems almost churlish to single out any of the actors for specific praise. They all inhabit their characters with great panache. But I do have to mention Patricia Gannon as the spunky maid Dorine for her scene-stealing performance. Adrian Schiller (Tartuffe) and Des McAleer (Orgon) give outstanding readings of their characters – never descending into caricature – something that could be all too easy.
I really cannot fault this production. I only wish I had time to go again this week!
It can be argued that Moliere is hard for modern British audiences to cope with – the formality of the language, the society his work portrays and the constant use of rhyme is often seen as a barrier. You need have no fear here. Ranjit Bolt has crafted a majestically funny and vibrant translation. The characters spring to life through the rhythm of his language. The rhyming couplets only enhance the humour rather than grating.
In many ways, this is a very modern play. Religious hypocrisy and fraud are perhaps even more prevalent today than in seventeenth century France. Bolt makes subtle references to current attitudes (the search for the ‘middle way’) without compromising the original text.
The production brings out the very best in the translation. All the elements work well – a classically-inspired set, handsome costumes, beautiful lighting and music all fuse to create some moments of theatrical magic. Without wishing to spoil it for future audiences, I have never seen a profiterole used to such effect in my life…
It seems almost churlish to single out any of the actors for specific praise. They all inhabit their characters with great panache. But I do have to mention Patricia Gannon as the spunky maid Dorine for her scene-stealing performance. Adrian Schiller (Tartuffe) and Des McAleer (Orgon) give outstanding readings of their characters – never descending into caricature – something that could be all too easy.
I really cannot fault this production. I only wish I had time to go again this week!