The Miser, Bell Shakespeare, 28 April 2019 ***1/2

THEATRE

By Moliere with English translation by Justin Fleming 

Produced by Bell Shakespeare
At  Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre Melbourne, until May 12, 2019 
Reviewer: Kate Herbert 
Stars:***1/3  
This review is NOT published in, or written for, the Herald Sun. KH

The Miser Damien Strouthos, John Bell, Harriet Gordon-Anderson pic Prudence Upton

John Bell is spider-like as the mean-spirited, stingy Harpagon, a wealthy, Scrooge-like skinflint and moneylender who spends his time hiding his cache of cash in his weird, little garden.

The Miser, by French playwright Moliere, was first performed in 1668 and is a comedy that relies on chaotic stage action, social satire, missed opportunities, power plays and caricature rather than social commentary or psychological insight.

Justin Fleming’s English translation, with playful direction by Peter Evans, captures the spirit of Moliere’s rhyming verse in a rhythmic, smart, modernised text.

Sean O’Shea is louche and ingratiating as Harpagon’s servant, La Flèche, while Jessica Tovey is a seductive and dignified Valère.

L-R Sean O'Shea, Harriet Gordon Anderson, Jessica Tovey, John Bell, Elizabeth Nabben, Michelle Doake, Russell Smith pic Prudence Upton

Bell, in his welcome return to the stage, is a compelling presence, playing Harpagon as an obnoxious, grasping, scruffy, grotesque old geezer who lusts after a much too young wife, Mariane, (Elizabeth Nabben) and uses his stash of money as weapon to control his son, Cléante (Damien Strouthos), and daughter, Élise (Harriet Gordon-Anderson).

Some of the other performances feel laboured or even a bit hysterical at times as thy try to make the characters come to life with the very wordy play.

They rely on sometimes laboured delivery of dialogue, overwrought physicality or awkward slapstick, instead of allowing the characters - or caricatures as most are - to play the comedy.

Anna Tregloan’s sleek, stylish set design provides an open space with multiple doors that allow for those predictable, comic exits and entrances that are a signature of the French farce.

This is a suitably frivolous and intentionally camp production of Moliere’s farce that, despite some flaws, is entertaining and true to its origins as a light, social satire.

by Kate Herbert

John Bell

CREATIVE TEAM

Director Peter Evans

Designer Anna Tregloan
Lighting Designer Matt Cox
Composer & Sound Designer Max Lyandvert
Movement & Fight Director Nigel Poulton
Voice & Text Coach Jess Chambers

CAST

 ohn Bell - Harpagon

Michelle Doake – Frosine

Harriet Gordon-Anderson – Elise 

Elizabeth Nabben - Mariane
Sean O’Shea - La Fleche / Signor Anselm
Jamie Oxenbould – Master Jacques
Russell Smith – Master Simon/Commissioner of Police
Damien Strouthos – Cleante son
Jessica Tovey - Valere