For Liverpool's Capital of Culture Year, Everyman and Playhouse Artistic Director Gemma Bodinetz directs Molière's famous 17th century French comedy Tartuffe, in a specially commissioned new adaptation by 'Liverpool's Poet Laureate' Roger McGough.
Sponsored by Liverpool John Moores University, this sparkling and witty new version is at the Liverpool Playhouse from Friday 9 May until Saturday 31 May with a cast including Joseph Alessi, John Ramm, Rebecca Lacey, Annabelle Dowler, and Eithne Browne. It will then transfer to the RoseTheatre, Kingston from 4 until 14 June.
Originally banned by Louis XIV, Tartuffe tells the story of a man, Tartuffe, who, claiming to be a beacon of piety, gets his feet firmly under the table at the home of wealthy merchant Orgon. But all is not as it seems and as Orgon becomes more enraptured with his new companion the whole city is chattering. Is he a friend, a fraud, a miracle or a hypocrite? The family smell a rat and amidst the frills and frivolity of 17th century society, they hatch a cunning plan to outwit the wily deceiver before he brings their house crashing down.
Roger McGough is one of Liverpool's best-known sons and one of Britain's favourite poetry voices, with a special gift for story telling and comic insight. Last year Roger appeared to a sold-out Liverpool Everyman with fellow poet Brian Pattern to perform 40-Love - a 40th anniversary celebration of the publication of The Mersey Sound – and in 2006 he performed extracts from his autobiography Said and Done to a packed Liverpool Playhouse.
The cast of ten includesNational Theatre of Brent comic actor John Ramm (Nicholas Nickleby, Chichester) with his feet firmly under the table as the questionably pious Tartuffe. Joseph Alessi (The Drowsy Chaperone, Novello Theatre) plays wealthy fool Orgon, with Rebecca Lacey (Dead Funny West End and tour) as his pursued wife Elmire, while Simon Coates (Translations, National Theatre) is the voice of reason as Elmire's brother Cleante. Eithne Browne (Two, Royal Court Liverpool) is matriarch Madame Pernelle, with Robert Hastie (Rough Crossings, Liverpool Playhouse and tour) as Orgon's incensed son Damis, and Emily Pithon (All My Sons, Liverpool Playhouse) as Orgon's dim-witted daughter Marianne. Annabelle Dowler (The Flint Street Nativity, Liverpool Playhouse) plays their shrewd maid Dorine, while Kevin Harvey (Yellowman, Liverpool Everyman) is Marianne's hapless fiancé Valere, and Alan Stocks (The Flint Street Nativity, Playhouse) is Monsieur Loyal.
Everyman and Playhouse Artistic Director Gemma Bodinetz directs at the Playhouse for 2008 following 5 star reviews for Intemperance at the Everyman in 2007. Gemma has again brought together the talented creative team of designer Ruairi Murchison, composer Conor Linehan, lighting designer Paul Keogan and sound designer Fergus O'Hare to creative what will be a most sumptuous period production of Tartuffe. -- www.everymanplayhouse.com
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