Tartuffe – Liverpool Playhouse
Writer: Moliere
Adaptor: Roger McGough
Director: Gemma Bodinetz
Reviewer: John Roberts
The Public Reviews Rating: 
It has been a bit of a desert of mediocrity In theatre land around Merseyside over the last few weeks, from the big budget spectacular of Batman at the Echo Arena, to the undercooked and almost inaudible Romeo & Juliet at St George’s Hall, to the long running but severely misguided We Will Rock You at The Empire Theatre, so it is with a huge sigh of relief that mediocrity has been blown out of the water with class and heart thanks to The Liverpool Playhouse and the English Touring Theatre, who have restaged and produced Gemma Bodinetz’s hit 2008 production of Tarftuffe for a welcome revival (Although I have to admit to not seeing the original production.)
In a translation from Liverpool’s own Roger McGough – Moliere’s play about a big time con artiste, who tries to seal the fate of one wealthy family, has never been so fresh or vibrant. McGough has embodied Moliere’s original text with witty rhyming couplets and local colloquialism’s that enriches and heightens the original text to a new height showing himself to not only be a master of his craft but also showing himself to be more confident than ever before.
Bodinetz has managed to assemble most of the original cast for this Tartuffe reprise, and It is clear to see that every member of the cast have a real love for the piece, a passion and energy that transcends across into the audience from the opening beat to the final curtain call. This is an ensemble at their finest, performing with finely tuned precision. Bodinetz’s direction is strong and self-assured, no moment is lost, or comedic beat missed – The Act 2 box scene is a pure delight and shows just how difficult it is to make comedy really work, the saying “It takes no fool to play the role of the jester” really comes to mind.
An elegant air of grandeur is given due to the gilded drawing room set designed by Ruari Murchison, with added extravagance thanks to the glorious costumes add a strong statement of colour into proceedings.
Emily Pithon shows plenty of naivety and youthful charm as youngest daughter Mariane, whilst Ilan Goodman’s refined and gloriously camp portrayal of Damis is a delight. Rebecca Lacey holds strong as Elmire really coming into her stride in the second act. Eithne Browne whilst looking every bit the matriarchal powerhouse in her role as Madame Pernell lacked of diction and volume making it hard to understand what was being said – especially during the opening scene.
Colin Tierney in the title role of Tartuffe knows how to play to an audience and gives a weighty and often hilarious portrayal of this failing con-artiste. Alan Stocks almost steals the show with his cameo roles of Loyal/Officer but that is oft the case in Farces, some of the best lines and indeed roles are usually given to the subsidiary characters. Hiran Abeysekera is perfectly cast as the young lover Valere – with plenty of foppishness and gay charm, he bounds across the stage with youthful endeavour that never fails to amuse. Annabelle Dowler gives a charming and wonderfully conceived portrayal of Dorine, with a thick Yorkshire accent to show her lower class roots and a perfect grasp of the comedy within the rhyme it is easy to see why she is a favourite amongst Playhouse regulars. Simon Coates deadpan Cleante had me laughing from the off, with a self-aware performance that sits beautifully as the off-beat comedic element of the piece – a beautifully underplayed performance that shines as a real highlight amongst this strong cast.
But stealing the show is Joseph Alessi who encapsulates the role of Orgon with such verve and valour – not one to shy away from the ridiculous and the slightly surreal and manages to combine anger and angst in what can only be described as a masterclass in comedy performance.
Tartuffe is a theatrical highlight of 2011 and is a stunning start to the Centenary season of The Liverpool Playhouse – Bravo!!!
Photo: Robert Day
Runs until Sat 17th Sept before embarking on a National Tour
Tags: Alan Stocks, Annabelle Dowler, Colin Tierney, Eithne Browne, Emily Pithon, English Touring Theatre, ETT, Gemma Bodinetz, Hiran Abeysekera, Ilan Goodman, Joseph Alessi, Liverpool, Moliere, Playhouse Theatre, Rebecca Lacey, Roger McGough, Ruari Murchison, Simon Coates
