Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble bring an infectious joyful energy and their signature lyrical skill and musicality to Molière’s famed satire Tartuffe, directed and choreographed by Rebecca Murphy.
First performed at the Palace of Versailles in 1664, Tartuffe offended the Archbishop of Paris and members of the French Catholic Church, who had the play officially censured by the King. It could not be publicly performed, and no text of this version survived. A second version, titled The Imposter, was performed once in 1667 and subsequently banned by the Archbishop of Paris. The third version, which is the published text that still exists today, then premiered in 1669. The original text is in French, and Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble have adapted from a contemporary translation that includes some modern language while preserving the historical tone.
Tartuffe follows the uproar created by the titular character in one household – under a guise of godliness, Tartuffe (Rob Pensalfini) has come to live in the house of Orgon (Angus Thorburn), who treats him like a brother and promises to sign over his estates to Tartuffe. Orgon also promises that Tartuffe will marry his youngest daughter, Mariane (Leah Mustard), even though she is already engaged to her beloved Valère (Scott Mair). Although Orgon and his mother revere Tartuffe as a holy man, the rest of the family – Orgon’s wife Elmire (Meg Bennett), his children, his servant, and his brother-in-law Cleante (Liliana Macarone) – see through Tartuffe’s facade and consider him to be a fraud and a swindler. Even as Tartuffe makes advances on his wife, Orgon remains dedicated to the man, and it is only through the repeated intervention of his relatives that he finally sees Tartuffe’s true colours.
The play is a commentary on piety, hypocrisy, wealth, and the deliberate twisting or interpretation of religious texts to suit or excuse individual intentions. Given its pointed message about self-appointed holy men, it is little wonder that the church pressured the king to suppress the play in the 1600s.
Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble find such a beautiful rhythm with lyrical language, whether by Shakespeare or other classical writers, and music is always woven through their work. For Tartuffe, this included sound design and composition by Silvan Rus, and the chosen translation of the play included a significant portion of rhyming verse that reflected the original’s rhyming couplets. From slapstick comedy to emphatic action, Tartuffe was also a very physical performance, with fight and movement coordination by Jason McKell.
Rob Pensalfini played the wily charlatan Tartuffe, veering between fervent piety and sly ignobility. Meg Bennett played an exasperated Elmire, more perceptive than her hapless and devout husband. As Orgon, Angus Thorburn delivered some brilliant physical comedy, although he occasionally reached a point where further escalation was required but not possible. Rebekah Schmidt was terrific as the outspoken servant Dorine, a magnetic presence with plenty of sass and cynicism. The continuous back-and-forth between Schmidt and Thorburn was excellent.
Mikala Crawley played a furious Damis, while Leah Mustard was more pouting and stubborn as Mariane and had great onstage chemistry with Scott Mair as her fiancée Valère. Liliana Macarone was even-tempered as Cleantes, preaching moderation to the more hot-headed relatives. Frances Marrington took on a number of minor roles, and Lillian Duggan played Orgon’s mother, Madame Pernelle, sweeping in and out of scenes and flicking her fan in righteous indignation. Lighting designed by Tim James and operated by James and Cameron Grimmett contributed to scene transitions and shifted the mood onstage, especially as Elmire set out to trap Tartuffe in his duplicity.
Colourful costuming designed and constructed by Asia Beck Jijnasu incorporated billowing shirts and breeches with corsets and brocade coats, but also bedazzled sneakers and metallic rainbow cowboy boots. Set and props designed and constructed by Josh Murphy used a simple backdrop that suggested the scale of a substantial home, with a few key pieces of furniture that were rearranged by the cast throughout.
Tartuffe is a perfectly fun evening filled with music, comedy, and light-hearted energy from a talented ensemble of actors and creatives.
Tartuffe will be performed at PIP Theatre, Milton, from 12 – 28 July 2024
For ticketing and further information, visit the QSE website
Backstreet Brisbane 
Leave a comment