TARTUFFE - THE IMPOSTER

Tartuffe – The Imposter was a very different proposition for Redbourn Players, being a farce, but very wordy, and one which they pulled off with style.

The set was visually appealing, I loved the lighting in the ceiling and along the two bars either side of the central entrance, the colour changes also added much to the classy feel of the set.  I liked the paintings on display, which I understand were created by Clive Patterson for the production.

Lighting in general was good, and I loved the flashing lights which appeared at the start of the play, when a seemingly unclothed man ran through the set!  A startling promise of things to come.

Sound was good throughout, everyone projected well, and delivered sometimes difficult and often very funny lines with assurance.

Everyone looked good in costumes that suited the character.

There was some questionable dialogue, but I felt this was dealt with well by the cast in the way it was directed, so it was just funny, not offensive.  There were some real laugh-out-loud moments.

Tartuffe the title character was played by Trevor Oakes – he was made for the part, as he is capable of under-playing a part but making it telling and relevant.  Trevor is not afraid to be calm and quiet, but can also give passion and angst, I thoroughly enjoyed his take on the charlatan that is Tartuffe!

Andy Turner played Orgon, the unwitting object of Tartuffe’s game.  Andy always gives his characters a three-dimensional feel, so we got the spiritual feeling engendered by Tartuffe, the antagonism towards his family, and the eventual realisation that he was being played for a fool.  Well played.

Becky Vernon-Clinch as Orgon’s daughter Mariane, gave us a very good study of a spoilt young lady, trying to talk her father round, some good interaction between her and Orgon.  The introduction of her undeniably French lover, Valère, played by Barthelemi Lacombe, added another dimension to the proceedings.  Barthelemi was very energetic,  I liked this young and lively pairing.

Sally Patterson played Pernelle, Orgon’s mother, a very outspoken lady, I enjoyed her portrayal very much, particularly the acceptance of Tartuffe as a possible grandson in law, then her rejection of him in the light of various revelations.

Andrea Clare was Elmire, Orgon’s wife and stepmother to his daughters.  I loved her femme fatale performance, and such good confrontation between her and Tartuffe, and good repartee with Orgon.  Some very challenging dialogue and moves, which she completed with confidence.

Rob Kirk was the only seemingly normal person in the cast, as Cleante, Elmire’s brother.  He acted as a sort of go-between for all the players, and gave us some very telling lines – well done.

Izzy Statham was Damis, Orgon’s younger daughter, she brought a young and up to the minute slant on the part, which was a good contrast to the rest of the cast.  I liked her up close confrontation with Tartuffe, they interacted very well.

Dorine, the long time family housekeeper and sometime lover of Orgon, was played very nicely by Maureen Wallis, being the sensible one, making her views known and trying to persuade everyone to adopt a sensible attitude.

Danielle Medaney and Mario Violentano were good supporting characters as Loyal and Officer in the final scene, I liked what they did.

Overall a very good production of an interesting and lively script, brought to life by a good cast, who interacted well with each other and the audience.  A little too wordy at times, but I appreciate that was the script.  Redbourn Players are giving us more diverse productions of a high standard – very well achieved.

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