University Players revives Moliére's Tartuffe

The University Players will, on October 8, begin presenting its latest production of Moliére's hilarious comedy, Tartuffe, in a limited engagement at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts, University of the West Indies, Mona.

Universally regarded as the greatest French writer of comedy, Moliére wrote Tartuffe in 1664 but the play created such a scandal it was banned following its first performance. It was not until 1669 that it was revived and became one of his greatest successes. Tartuffe is now considered one of the greatest plays ever written.

With a strong cast of well-known Jamaican actors such as Alwyn Scott, Munair Zacca, Paul Issa, Teisha Duncan and Joanna Hart in a sparkling new translation directed by Paul Issa, Tartuffe will be presented for a limited run of nine performances.

Spiritual adviser

Tartuffe is a beacon of piety who has become the permanent house guest and spiritual adviser of the wealthy merchant Orgon. But all is not as it seems, and as Orgon falls further under the influence of his new companion the whole town is talking. Is he a friend, a fraud, a saint or a hypocrite?

The family members smell a rat, and amid the frills and frivolity of 17th-century society, they hatch a cunning plan to outwit the wily deceiver before he brings their household crashing down.

Although set in Paris in the 1660s, the play's themes are universal and timeless, and its story is completely relevant to contemporary Jamaica, with its proliferation of con artists, dishonest public figures, ponzi schemers and religious frauds.

The October 8 opening night will be held under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency Marc-Olivier Gendry, ambassador of France.