
JB Archive: On Stage
|
Tartuffe (or, The Imposter) is a comedy by the French playwright Molière. It was first performed in 1664. Tyrone Guthrie directed the National Theatre production in 1967-68. Here is a synopsis of the play: In Paris, a rich man named Orgon lives with his two grown children, Mariane and Damis, and his young second wife, Elmire. He meets Tartuffe, who Orgon thinks is is a man of great religious zeal and piety. But in fact, Tartuffe is a hypocrite and a con man. Tartuffe manages to convince Orgon that his family is very sinful. Orgon invites Tartuffe to live in his house to spy on Elmire to see if she is faithful. Tartuffe proceeds to try and seduce her. Orgon also plans to break Mariane's engagement
to her fiancé, Valère and promises her in marriage to
Tartuffe. Mariane tells her maid, Dorine, that she would rather die
than marry a manipulative person like Tartuffe, but she cannot
disobey her father. She tries to convince Valère that she
does not love him. However, Dorine quickly gets the two young
lovers back together. |
