The Misanthrope

Moliere clearly understood society all too well, much to our delight, and Roger McGough’s translation – his third of Moliere’s work – is as fresh as a daisy and as affectionately cutting of the swings and roundabouts familiar in nineteenth century court manners as they still are at the dinner parties of Hanover and Hampstead.

From curtain up and the first carefully choreographed dipping dance to every powder puffed dandy and society-enforced verse, the confines and rings Colin Tierney’s Alceste – the titular misanthrope – dispises are clear in their attraction and falsities. Slowly stripping away society’s influences upon his ownperson – from the curled wig, speech patterns and ‘civility’ of white lies onwards – his otherness is worn like a crown of thorns, shaking the pretences off like a primped lion it’s bows.

This is a marvellous cast, clearly enjoying the delicious text as much as we were, With Jacquie Davies’ costumes of feathers and frippery the icing on the cake. Zara Tempest-Walters captivating as the playful flirt Celimene, Tierney in turns fierce and tortured as the twisted honesty of the piece.

A comedy of manners powdered and rouged and given a modern bard’s voice, this is a glorious production not to be missed.

Theatre Royal Brighton, 30 April 2013

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