Directing Tartuffe or why people should see this show today?

Abstract

This thesis documents a production of the French playwright Moliere's comedy Tartuffe at Temple Repertory Theater in Philadelphia. Set in Philadelphia's Main Line, this production provides an updated version of the play that comments on religion in contemporary America. Tartuffe is one of the best comedies written by Moliere. Banned for many years, it deranged people and touched a very tender spot in 17th century French society. America has a very different approach to religion than France. The many churches in existence make this country a deist democracy as opposed to the French secular state. The use of religion in politics, the "in God we trust" on the dollar bill, and seeing people pray in restaurants before their dinner have dictated this production be set in contemporary America. The use of clown techniques helped in finding American archetypes that would fit the characters. Directing choices, designers and actors created a world that tells the story of a rich American family threatened by the extremist religious discourse of a hypocrite. All these choices try to honor the heightened style of Moliere's language and, here, of Ranjit Bolt's very modern and fluid translation.