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It's a crackin' ploy an' bostin loff Tartuffe Birmingham Rep **** I
GUESS with so many TV programmes about scroungers and benefit cheats and
the devious ways that people dupe the system then the seemingly innocent
but malicious character of Molière's Tartuffe might be viewed as the 16th
century equivalent. He certainly seems to
have landed on his feet in this rich and colourful setting that designer
Liz Ashcroft has created with a towering stately home façade,
resplendent with a full scale decal of Fragonard's painting
The Swing
and it will be a look, I am sure, that many a wag will be after for
their footballer's home, once this gets out. Indeed it is this first sumptuous impression that
stamps an authority of total visual quality on the Reps production, but
one that with the addition of the colourful cast gets a bit wary and
overpowering after time. Director Roxanne Silbert however has pulled out
all of the `Brummie ‘stops here injecting a lively dose of local
references that would not be out of place in a Christmas pantomime.
Very welcome they are too as Molière's tale of a wealthy household
reduced to near poverty at the hands of a vagabond, has few real modern
laughs. It was all down to this talented cast who used their comic
timing, audience interaction, and funny walks to achieve the best laughs
on the night. Handling the role of Tartuffe is West Midlander,
Mark Williams making his Rep debut and his long experience in
internationally acclaimed films such as Harry Potter was clearly evident
mastering the subtleties of the role with ease. Adding to the home grown talent was Janice
Connolly (Barbara Nice) as the dotty Mrs Pernelle and long-time Rep
associate Roderick Smith as the officer, who received a loud cheer when
he announced he had arrived from ` Wolverhampton! ‘ A notable performance came from Sian Brooke as
Elmire who positively rippled with physical sexuality during her comical
seduction of Tartuffe to secure his undoing for the benefit of her
concealed husband Orgon. In turn Orgon played by Paul Hunters drew the
majority of the laughs through a series of funny walks and stances but
again, as someone who is no stranger to working in major films like
Pirates of the Caribbean, totally commanded the role. It's great to see the Rep adding such a local
flavour to this production both in its casting and treatment of the
script. Without it would have been very dry as the whole tale of
Tartuffe stretches the boundaries of common sense. Thankfully it stops short of eliciting the
audience to call out `he's behind you ‘and the production has some
genuinely funny moments all staged in a brilliantly realised and
colourful setting. To 16-11-13. Jeff Grant
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