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
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 |
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 |
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
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
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