UST’s ‘Tartuffe’ offers a satirical look at religious fanaticsm
The alternate title of Moliere’s “Tartuffe,” the new USU Theatre Department production, is “The Hypocrite.” The title couldn’t be more appropriate.
The comedy, which plays at the Morgan Theatre in the Fine Arts Building, is the story of the overly pious religious hypocrite, Tartuffe, who comes to have great influence on a wealthy French family. Tartuffe gets Orgon, the family patriarch, to fall for his preaching about heaven and eternity, and Orgon gradually gives him more power and control over his family and estate.
The play is set in pre-revolution France in a wealthy estate. To the disapproval of the rest of his household, Orgon (Jonathan Scott McBride) has recently taken in Tartuffe (Jared Rounds) as a prominent guest in the house after being impressed with his religious acts. Orgon’s family becomes infuriated with him after he breaks off the engagement between his daughter (Rebecca Johnson) and Valere (Ben Garvis) and instead plans for her to wed Tartuffe.
Their attempts to reveal Tartuffe’s hypocrisy initially further Orgon’s devotion to him, even leading him to banish his son (Damis) because of Tartuffe. By the time Orgon cannot ignore Tartuffe’s hypocrisy, he is more in debt to him than he could imagine.
Although Moliere wrote “Tartuffe” in the 1660s, the comedy manages to remain relevant today because of the depth of Moliere’s characters and the universality of the play’s subject matter, said Colin Johnson, director of the play.
“Moliere was a master of drawing clear, vivid characters, not just copies of stereotypes,” Johnson said. Each of the characters reveals hidden depths as the play develops, with each having a different reaction to Tartuffe’s dealings.
Tartuffe himself is a study of manipulation and controlled self-presentation. Dressed in black priestly attire, he behaves with an act of supreme piety, stating that he “sees the slightest failure as sin.”
Johnson said bringing a period play such as “Tartuffe” to the Morgan Theatre stage presented several difficulties. The ornate costumes of the play, which can weigh as much as 35 pounds each, proved to take some adjustment. The actors were forced to learn specific ways of moving and standing that were appropriate for their period costumes. “Seeing costumes alone is worth the price of admission,” Johnson said.
Mostly, the language of Moliere is considerably different from standard modern English in its rhythm. However, Johnson said the aim was “to make sure audiences have the best chance to hear (the language) and understand it.”
While the language can be dense, it remains very comprehensible, as is the plot. Johnson said the familiarity of the plot structure would help audiences appreciate the play. “Family trials and challenges were not so different in that day as it is today,” Johnson said.
Much of the humor revolves around familiar family conflicts, with the comedy serving mostly to illustrate the irrationality of Orgon and others’ devotion to Tartuffe.
Similarly, the play’s examination of hypocrisy and blind devotion is still powerful today.
Satirist Ambrose Bierce defined hypocrisy as “prejudice with a halo.” “Tartuffe” created such a stir with its depiction of religious hypocrisy that it was banned several times in France because of pressure from religious figures.
A cursory look at the news reveals that religious hypocrisy is still alive and well today. Moliere’s comedy provides a clear portrait of the dangers of blind faith that fights against fact and shows the hypocrite’s power is most often not taken forcefully, but given willfully by unquestioning followers.
“Tartuffe” plays at the Morgan Theater February 9-10 and 14-17. Admission for students is free with a USU student ID, $9 for adults and $7 for faculty and seniors. Productions begin at 7:30 p.m.
Tom Liljegren is the Statesman go-to man for all things theater.
Comments can be sent to him
at tliljegren@cc.usu.edu.