“Why do folk not, ever, catch on to themselves?...Ach, gies you another interesting nutter to play...”
In constant threat of debtor’s prison, in big bother with church and state and - worst of all - disastrously in love with the wrong wife, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin de Molière writes brilliant comedies inspired by a desperate life. But telling the truth is a dangerous business and getting his latest drama on stage could be the death of him!
As good as Lochhead’s script is, nothing she writes comes close to Moliere’s actual work.
Scandalous affairs and royal tiffs abound in this excellently acted, Scots-tinted take on the brilliant but self-destructive French playwright.
Lochhead's story of an older woman usurped by a young starlet to become the frustrated genius' muse could be straight out of a Hollywood backstage musical. But what could have ended up as one great big theatrical in-joke transcends its roots in Tony Cownie's sensitively realised production to become something with infinitely more substance.
It is beautifully directed by Tony Cownie and impeccably performed, with every last drop of meaning and emotion wrung out of what is – on its own terms – a satisfying production.
Directed by Tony Cownie, this tale is as hilarious as one of [Moliere's] own works; he would positively adore Lochhead’s telling of his tale.
There’s much to savour in the sparkle and complexity of the script, and the cast has a ball creating characters worthy of the rich writing.
Given a superb ensemble performance from Cownie’s beautifully-chosen company, this powerful act of memory finally becomes a truly exquisite evening of theatrical reflection.
Laced, in the scenes in which Moliere’s plays are rehearsed, with lines from Lochhead’s own, superb Scots-English versions of the comedies, Thon Man Moliere is an important and welcome addition to the MacMoliere tradition. And its conclusion would bring a tear to a glass eye.
Comic genius, Moliere, has his colourful and chaotic life brought to the Lyceum stage in Liz Lochhead’s comical and lovingly written new play.
Liz Lochhead and Siobhan Redmond--Thon Man Moliere
Thon Man Moliere--Liz Lockheed's new play
Tron Women Lochhead
Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh from Friday May 20, 2016, until Saturday June 11, 2016. More info: www.lyceum.org.uk
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