Tartuffe

Synopsis

The religious hypocrite Tartuffe has wormed his way into the once ordered household and vulnerable heart of substantial merchant Orgon. Under the guise of piety, he looks set to succeed in driving away the son, marrying the daughter, seducing the wife, imprisoning Orgon and leaving the family destitute. Railed against as a sacrilegious outrage by the Church, the play was banned from public performance by Louis XIV in 1664.

Our Review:

14 September 2011

Roger McGough’s adaptation of Tartuffe (based on Molière’s 17th century masterpiece) returns to Liverpool following its 2008 debut during the city’s year as Capital of Culture. It is welcomed with open arms by an enthusiastic audience.

Tartuffe (Colin Tierney), masquerading as a religious man, is brought into rich Orgon’s family home and soon gets his feet under the table. Orgon (Joseph Alessi) is besotted by Tartuffe’s piety and does not listen to his family’s doubts as to Tartuffe’s true intentions. Orgon’s ill-thought behaviour reaching a crescendo at the end of Act One. Incredibly the energy levels are raised in the second half when the characters become ever more frenzied in an attempt to unmask Tartuffe.

Religious hypocrisy may not be an obvious topic for a work of comedy genius, but McGough’s style suits Molière’s original rhyming couplets an...

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