Adelaide Fringe

Fringe Review: Moliere’s Tartuffe by Liz Lochhead

Liz Lochhead has brought us a new look at Moliere’s take on the ultimate conman. Set in a Scottish living room in the 1940’s it might almost qualify as a foreign language entry; hence the sur-titles to let us all in on the jokes!

4.5

Presented by Ed Littlewood Productions in association with Holden Street Theatres
Reviewed 12 February 2020

Liz Lochhead has brought us a new look at Moliere’s take on the ultimate conman. Set in a Scottish living room in the 1940’s it might almost qualify as a foreign language entry; hence the sur-titles to let us all in on the jokes! The tale is much the same but with a more relatable scenario.

As Orgon, Harry Ward is great as the up-tight father and husband who is never wrong and far too trusting and Andy Clark excels as the so pious, completely fraudulent Tartuffe. Carrying the main part of the storytelling, keeping the audience up to date, is Joyce Falconer as Dorine. The faithful but clever wife, Elmire, is played with fire by Nicola Roy. These names may not be familiar to Australian audiences, but they are well known in their homeland and bring a wealth of experience.

The writer, Liz Lochhead was National Poet of Scotland from2011-2016 and awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for poetry in 2015. She is also President of the Scottish Society of Playwrights. With a long list of successful plays to her name, Lochhead still enjoys collaborating with director Tony Cownie on productions like this.

The Royal Lyceum Theatre Company is Scotland’s leading production company with a strong reputation for excellence and is committed to developing Scotland’s considerable indigenous talents while presenting the best of international drama.

As always, this drama puts the use of sex as a weapon, by both sexes, in the forefront. It is nice to enjoy a classic tale retold so well.

Reviewed by Fran Edwards
Twitter: @franeds

Rating out of 5: 4.5

Venue: Holden Street Theatres – The Arch
Season: 11 – 15 Feb 2020
Duration: 60 mins
Tickets: $18-$28

Bookings: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/tartuffe-af2020

www.adelaidefringe.com.au
www.holdenstreettheatres.com

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@ADLFringe

@HoldenStreet

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