(Craig Morris & Vanessa Cooke)
The interpretation by a superb cast has
made this production masterful. (Report by Dawn Haynes, Livewire)
Alliance Française in Durban and the French
Institute of SA have once again given Durban audiences a rare opportunity to
experience the unique style of playwright Moliere , by bringing the Fortune Cookie
Theatre Company’s production of Tartuffe
to the Courtyard Theatre.
Director Sylvaine Strike has taken this
excellent translation by Richard Wilber and created a masterpiece of French
Comedy theatre. Written entirely in rhyming couplets, the dialogue is clever,
witty and highly entertaining. However, it is the interpretation by a superb
cast that has made this production masterful.
From the opening dance sequence
choreographed by Owen Lonzar, the energy on stage never wavers. There is a
control and an enjoyment portrayed by each performer which would have made
Moliere himself proud. Neil McCarthy as Orgon has a commanding presence and
conveys the confidence of his misled character to perfection.
As Tartuffe, Craig Morris fluctuates
superbly from the penitent sinner to the lustful seducer as the various layers
of his character unfold. Khatjo Green as Elmire, Orgon’s wife, was both
delightful and controlled as she dominated the highly amusing seduction scene.
With Tartuffe under the table, the timing in this scene was superb and the
audience were fully involved. It was obvious from the response of the full
house of senior, mostly female, students that there were many aspects of this
play that they could relate to. With the present media attention to women
abuse, they were fully aware of the situations in this play and responded
enthusiastically in support of the women. Their spontaneous applause and
encouraged screams showed just how relevant Moliere’s play is in South Africa
today.
However, it was Vanessa Cooke as the
servant/gardener Dorine who stole the show for me. Her actions, reactions and
movements were clever, witty and sustained throughout. What a joy to experience
the talents of this amazing actress in this style of theatre! Stylised comedic
acting is so different from the realism that we see in most modern plays and
she led the cast in using every opportunity to make the most of every word and
gesture. She carefully manipulated each scene and had the audience enthralled
throughout. A truly outstanding performance!
The actors all had the necessary energy and
interpretation of situation to keep the action of the play at maximum level
throughout. This was a strong cast who worked well together to ensure that the
careful and complex movements were sustained effectively. The themes of
hypocrisy, greed and corruption of the wealthy upper-class as well as the power
of the church at the time and the misuse of religious practices, caused this
play to be closed and censored when it was first produced in 17th
century France. The fact that such issues are as relevant now as they were
then, acclaims the inherent human failings that make this play a classic. As
director Sylvaine Strike says: “It’s incredibly funny, while exploring very
dark themes all at once. That is the beauty of Moliere.”
Visually, the production was extremely well
planned. Set designers Sacha Ehlers and Chen Naker created a workable and
highly effective set with minimal clutter. The opulence of the wealthy
household was cleverly portrayed in the filigree carving of the facade and the
delicate fabric of the drapes, while the costumes complimented this visual
image, adding a certain comedic element subtly and effectively.
Sylvaine Strike sums this up so well by
saying: “This play has the perfect balance of comedy, drama and intrigue. It is
a visual feast “. I agree fully.
The spontaneous and enthusiastic standing
ovation at the end was proof that this young audience felt the same! They loved
the play, they identified with the situations and they were superbly
entertained throughout.
As they go on tour to Johannesburg and Cape
Town, The Fortune Cookie Theatre Company will allow the audiences in South Africa to experience
and enjoy this memorable and exciting classic of theatre. Thank you, Alliance Française
in Durban! - Dawn Haynes, Livewire
(The
Livewires are members of a team of theatre supporters who are encouraged to distribute
their responses to productions)
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