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Tartuffe
Reviewed in The Bulletin, 12 December 2002, by Gary Hills
Andrew McIlroy's updated prose version of Molière's Tartuffe deserves
much more discussion than this column can offer. The story of a respected pillar
of the community who falls under the spell of a sermonising charlatan, risking
family and fortune, is dragged screamingly up to date in its Northern Ireland
setting. With to the original and injections of the utterly modern, Tartoof is
one of the most enticing pieces of theatre by the ITG to date.
Nick Roche's stylish production served the new text well,. I have only one
misgiving. McIlroy's new play depends on old-style farce, a notoriously
difficult mode in which even professionals struggle. Tartuffe requires that the
farcical elements build progressively through the play, right until the climax
when the character’s hypocrisy is finally revealed. This demands incisive
movement and timing - the play needs a pinnacle from which the reconciliation
scene at the end can slowly descend, bringing the characters and audience
gradually back to earth. A lack of hard-hitting highlights made this production
seem rather too even at times.
But no more gripes. This was a thoroughly satisfying night at the theatre with a
dedicated cast playing with humour and humility. Tartoof (Jonathan Duff) was
built up suitably before his first entrance and from then on made us dislike him
in an intense TV-evangelist sort of way. Brian Hartnett as Logan put in a
commanding performance, reminding us that religious bigotry and its blinkers
remain with us today.
This was a leap into the unknown for ITG, and one that has paid off. Not only
does the group commission a new version of a great classic, it presents it in a
perfectly appropriate theatre, dresses it with a handsome set and peoples it
with a solid group of actors. Hats off to Andrew McIlroy who deserves the
biggest bow.
Gary Hills
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