Daily Express, 27th
March 1998, Edward Pearce
Molière is notoriously difficult to do well.
Performed entirely straight, it can sound like
aquarium theatre or a ballet with words.
Alternately, some directors fool about with the
costume and setting and run round in flashy little circles trying to distract
attention from the tedious old playwright.
Sir Peter Hall does none of these things and has
emerged with an almost perfect production, which by understatement,
triumphantly demonstrates Molière’s grandeur.
The translation by Ranjit Bolt, is crisp and full
of impact. But better than that it is full of dry subtleties and serves Molière
rather than showing off Bolt.
Stage design by John Gunter is rich, but not gaudy.
Peter Hall’s restraint and constructive theatrical
conservatism lead him to brilliant single scenes. There is a quintet of
bitching courtiers, male and female, descanting off one another while the main
character, Alceste, watches appalled.
Alceste’s deepening unhappiness at the ill-natured
hypocrisy of society, which ends in withdrawal from it, is made real by a
staggering performance by Michael Pennington.
With a bubbling and delicious Elaine Paige as his
mistress and Peter Bowles as a French Foppington – strangulated vowels and
bullfrog manner – all the acting is at the highest level.
Don’t be put off from the great experience of a
French masterpiece finally got right. You’ll enjoy it.
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