Come back with us to 17th century Paris where Orgon, an ageing, self-righteous, rich man is worrying about his place in heaven. He becomes besotted with Tartuffe, an imposter and religious hypocrite who worms his way into Orgon’s household. Orgon behaves more and more irrationally, offering Tartuffe his money and his daughter - but Tartuffe fancies someone else… With his family in uproar, the scales finally fall from Orgon’s eyes - but is it too late?
The first version of Tartuffe was performed in 1664 before King Louis XIV but was immediately banned following pressure by a religious faction on the pretext that its very funny attack on religious hypocrisy would make true devotion suspect. Molière reworked the play twice before it could be performed in its final version in 1669, when it triumphed at the box office with the highest receipts ever for Molière’s troupe. With some of the most sought-after roles in French theatre it has since been performed more often than any other French play. Adaptations of Tartuffe are planned for the West End and Stratford later this year.
Come and laugh at the foibles of a silly old man who despite the efforts of his family is duped into handing everything he has to a blatant imposter.
Tickets available below (NO booking fees), from venue box offices and on the door.
Thur 12 April, 7.30pm |
Bramfield Village Hall |
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Fri 13 April, 7.30pm |
Southwold Arts Centre (St. Edmund's Hall) |
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Sat 14 April, 7.30pm |
Halesworth Library |
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Thur 19 April, 7.30pm |
Beccles Public Hall |
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Fri 20 April, 7.30pm |
Huntingfield: The Hub |
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Sat 21 April, 7.30pm |
Halesworth: The Cut |