Tartuffe - Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
TRAFFIC of the Stage, in association with Handplay Productions, is presenting Molière’s Tartuffe at Highgate’s Upstairs at the Gatehouse – from October 2 to October 13, 2012.
The religious hypocrite Tartuffe has wormed his way into the household of the wealthy but vulnerable merchant, Orgon. Under the guise of piety, Tartuffe schemes to seize Orgon’s property, marry his daughter, and seduce his wife.
Condemned and banned when it first opened in Paris in 1664, Molière’s masterly satire remains one of the finest stage comedies in French literature.
Traffic of the Stage’s revival of Ranjit Bolt’s acclaimed adaptation of Tartuffe was first seen at the National Theatre in 2002.
Designed and directed by Bryan Hands, the new production is performed by Judi Bowker (as Elmire), Felicity Brooks (Mariane), James Butler (Damis), Andre Loudon (Orgon), Eileen Dunwoodie (Dorine), Giorgio Galassi (Valere), Martin Head (Monsieur Loyal), Harry Meacher (Tartuffe), Roger Sansom (Cleante), Carola Stewart (Mme Pernelle) and Jonson Wilkinson (Laurent).
Ranjit Bolt has translated many classic plays, including The Liar, The Illusion (Pierre Corneille) and Lysistrata (Aristophanes) all of which premiered at the Old Vic; Le Cid (National Theatre, 1994), The Oedipus Plays, (National Theatre, 1996) and School for Wives (West End and UK Tour, 1996-7). In 2003, he was awarded the OBE for services to literature.
Well known for high production values and technical ingenuity, Traffic of the Stage’s period production comes from the same creative team which brought to Highgate the acclaimed productions of Emma, Far from the Madding Crowd, Daniel Deronda and Northanger Abbey.
Produced by John Cooper, Tartuffe has scenic painting by John Dalton and costume design by Andrew McRobb.
Tickets: Tuesday to Friday £12 (£10 concessions); Saturday £16 (£14 concessions); Sunday £14 (£10 concessions) – available from the box office on 020 8340 3488 or online at www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com.
Times: Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Sunday at 4pm.
The Warden runs at Highgate’s Upstairs at the Gatehouse until September 30, 2012.