Mercury
Youth Theatres at
the
Mercury Theatre Colchester
24.08.2012
Adapted
by Miles Malleson from Moliere's Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme
Moliere's
comedy-ballet was first staged when Charles II and Sun King Louis XIV
were at the top of the social order on either side of the Channel.
It's been popular ever since; snobbery and social climbing are as
funny now as they were then.
But
I'm not sure how well the plot transplants to the 21st Century. Even
Miles Malleson's faithful version is sixty years old now. Do we still
aspire to be persons of quality ? And would we hire experts – life
coaches perhaps – to help us achieve our aspirations ? Don't the
red-tops tell us that the aristos of today are more likely to aspire
to partying with the plebs ? And learn Estuary English rather than
elocution ?
Fascinating
questions raised by the Mercury Youth Group's very enjoyable romp
through the fun and the farce of Monsieur Jourdain's doltish progress
towards nobility,
directed by Mercury Company actor and director Adrian Stokes.
The plot remains French, and Seventeeth Century, but the costumes,
and Amy Yardley's impressive design [tiger skin rug, zebra chaise
longue, classical columns and swagged drapes] blend the world of
Versailles and the present day, as does Lilli Green's song.
The
cast of twenty or more youngsters clearly had a ball putting this
colourful piece together, and in amongst them are some very promising
actors.
Jourdain,
our hero, the part Moliere wrote for himself, is beautifully
characterised by James Palmer-Higgins: an accomplished comic actor,
channelling something of Corden, something of Crawford [Michael, not
Joan]. Physically, vocally, just right, with a good sense of timing.
His common-as-muck wife is Charlotte Kirkpatrick-Luke, always trying
to bring her old man down to earth, and doing a lot of shrieking.
Ben
Nash makes the most of the irascible Philosopher – excellent
enunciation and a strongly grounded character; Liam Bottazzi's
Tailor, gorgeously apparrelled, stands out, too, as do the
fantastically dressed flunkeys [Daniel Jones and Harry John
Runicles]. Sophie Pike makes a poised and elegant Marchioness, with
Elliot Sargent as her Count.
The
young suitor to Mary Dodds' Lucille is a very amusing Tom Tanner,
matched by his serving man, William Jonas. Tom gets to pretend to be
the son of the Grand High Turk in part two, with William as his
interpreter, wringing every laugh possible from a wayward beard.
Pleased
to see that Moliere's best joke still works, and that the wooers'
quartet and the farcical finale retain their comic genius. The
obligatory Turkish divertissement is certainly colourful, and gives
everyone a chance to shine in glittery slippers.
An
interesting choice for the Mercury's talented and intrepid youth
group; their stylish performance keep us entertained with a unique
blend of satire, farce, intrigue and romance.
this piece first appeared on The Public Reviews
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