Tartuffe was our Sixth Form Production, performed on November 29th, 30th and December 1st, 2023
Fun, fast and fastidious in its verse, Ranjit Bolt’s adaptation of Tartuffe is a challenge to perform. The young impressed with their use of the rhyming couplets for comic effect.
The religious hypocrite Tartuffe has wormed his way into the once ordered household and vulnerable heart of substantial merchant Orgon. Under the guise of piety, he looks set to succeed in driving away the son, marrying the daughter, seducing the wife, imprisoning Orgon and leaving the family destitute. Railed against as a sacrilegious outrage by the Church, the play was banned from public performance by Louis XIV in 1664.
- Eddie Hyatt’s Tartuffe was smooth, sickly yet somehow loveable. For those of a certain age, you would be forgiven for letting Leslie Phillip’s ‘Ding dong’, to pop into your head.
- Imogen William’s Dorine was a quick-witted maid who became increasingly frustrated with the family. She was not afraid to put the men in their places.
- Charlie Roberts was a firm audience favourite, as his foppish Valere flirted with himself.
- Sebastian Timelin’s Orgon was an endearing old gent, entirely confused by his plight.
- Ben Corfe’s Cleante spoke with a sonorous and sober intellect. His calm presence was a necessary balance to the raucous goings on.
- Maddie Heyburn’s Elmire rose elegant amongst the furore – even managing to maintain her dignity in the table scene. She squeezed every comic opportunity from the challenging text.
- Rosabel Figgis was a powerhouse of a grandmother you would never want to come for Christmas dinner. Her resonant voice and disdain for the family was felt by all.
- Alex Balch’s Damis, was a wittering earnest young man, who in theatrical terms would grow up to be King George in Hamilton.
- Marianne’s hair bounced with the spring of her vocal articulation. This ingénue smacked of Veruca Salt – a whiny manipulative creature determined to get her own way.
- Charlie Whitmore was our deus ex machina, coming in at the end to right the wrongs of the play. He determinedly delivered the final speech of the show whilst the whole cast tried to distract him.
- Seth Robinson as the bailiff who arrives to throw the family out is unapologetic, relishing in his power.
- Olufella Bakare was our silent comic genius. This side-kick to Tartuffe appeared throughout the play, at one moment fully adorned by roses – a firm favourite.
Backstage, Alfie Bowers called the show with confidence and verve. As DSM (Deputy Stage Manager) he sat on cans (headphones) and gave the actor, lighting and sound cues. He has a team of stage managers including Jiyai Ji , Farah Wheeldon, Charlie Whitmore, Raquel Gonzalez-Kirby, Zeta Bettschieder and Lexie Farmer. Costume and makeup was run by Lorenzo Toffano and Lily Godfrey.
Students from remove completed our scenic art: Stella Gimeno, Karoline Stafanova, Monya Hamed.
This show ran as I dreamed it would, all thanks to the students. A tremendous well done to cast and crew.
Caroline Farmer, Director of Co-Curricular Drama
