Tartuffe

Description

A new sparkling and witty version by Roger McGough of Moliere's comedy published as a programme text to accompany the premiere at the Liverpool Everyman on 9 May 2008. Tartuffe is a beacon of piety and in the home of wealthy merchant Orgon he has his feet firmly under the table. 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 seventeenth century society they hatch a cunning plan to outwit the wily deceiver before he brings their house crashing down. Moliere wrote Tartuffe in 1664 but the play was banned following its first production in Paris; it wasn't until 1669 that it was revived and became one of his greatest successes.

Moliere (1622-73) is known as the greatest French writer of comedy. His plays include The Misanthrope, Tartuffe, and The School for Wives, all available in an omnibus edition from Methuen Drama. Award-winning poet, playwright and children's author Roger McGough made his name as one of the 'Liverpool Poets' with Adrian Henri and Brian Patten. His most recent book of poetry is Everyday Eclipses (2002) and his Collected Poems was published in 2003. He is a National Curriculum recommended poet for secondary English.

"McGough's adaptation is anarchic, irreverent and hysterically funny." Clare Brennan, Observer, 18.05.08 "McGough demonstrates a finely tuned ear for the rhythms of dialogue and the flavour of patois and jargon. The result is tart but never tough In their zest and wit, McGough's lines, sometimes deliciously set up, at other times sprung on us with a mischievous artlessness, set a cracking pace." Lynne Walker, Independent, 20.05.08