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The Misanthropist
by Moliere |
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Seventeenth century Neo-Classical French comedy is not usually the sort of thing that I would expect to float my boat. However, there's a first time for everything, and this new translation of an old masterpiece first premiered in Paris in 1666 had me pleasantly surprised. An excellent cast deal most admirably with a script which must have been a pig to learn, and even more of a swine to translate - Alexandrine rhyming couplets not being the most common form for dramatic dialogue these days. Congratulations go to Mr James Brydon, not only for mastering this latter feat, but also for demonstrating clever direction and able casting and music-choosing skills. James Womack storms through the performance as the mean and moody Alceste, a headstrong young chap besotted with the witty yet obscenely flirtatious Celimene (played with panache by Joanne Hemingway, who is generously endowed with more than talent). Disgusted with the discrepancy between manners and morals in contemporary Paris, and with the behaviour of his beloved - who persists in entertaining countless hordes of other young suitors - Alceste vows to maintain plain-speaking, or to reject false society altogether in favour of hermitude. Despite the reasonings of his mate Philinte (Nicholas Hughes resplendent in best Irish accents), and the regard of two other women, Alceste is unmoveable in his disdain for humankind. He finally exits grandly, Groucho Marx-stylee (who would want to join the sort of club that would have oneself as a member?). Few holes can be picked here. One may feel that the play is at times a little claustrophobic, as all the action is set in Celemine's apartments. To ease this, the actors could make a little more use of the space available to them (though Mr Hughes suffers no problems here). However, claustrophobia is no doubt in keeping with the social atmosphere portrayed in Alceste's rantings, so you may judge this feature for yourself. Be warned also, that this play is longer than the average student production, at a total of two-and-a-quarter hours (incl. 15 minute interval). Despite this, however, it barely drags. A performance worth getting your boat out for. Su Jordan |