Tartuffe

Published Wednesday 14 May 2008 at 12:20 by Chris High

Sometimes, reviewing is a tough task and giving an opinion on The Liverpool Everyman’s latest offering, Tartuffe, is particularly difficult. Why? Because there simply aren’t enough superlatives to express just how glorious this production is.

Fast, funny, farcical and phenomenally well acted, Roger McGough and Gemma Bodinetz have taken a text reflecting 17th century courtly manners - a premise that might make some cringe - and turned it into nothing other than pure theatrical gold.

The set consists of a high walled and windowed drawing room that is used beautifully, with the cast, who all are exemplary in their timing, delivery and clarity, using every aspect of it to the full.

But it is Annabelle Dowler, Joseph Alessi, John Ramm and Rebecca Lacey who must take the deepest bows. Dowler is hardly ever off stage as the feisty maid, Dorine, and her energy is something worthy of a review on its own. Alessi as Orgon, the gullible master of the house taken in so easily by Ramm’s beautifully slimy Tartuffe - the only character to speak in “leaden prose” rather than rhyming couplet - is right on top of his game and, in watching Rebecca Lacey as Orgon’s wife, Elmire, it easy to see how even a stern man of the cloth could easily fall for her vampish charms, let alone such a puddle-shallow philanderer as Tartuffe.

Is there a quibble? Yes. The time in your seat passes too quickly and if anybody is looking to see how theatre should be done, this it. A quite perfect night out.