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Molière classic The Would-be Gentleman - still upwardly mobile
THE WOULD-BE GENTLEMAN
Lion and Unicorn Theatre
SEVENTEENTH-century France might be a little culturally distant from 21st-century Britain, but audiences at The Would-Be Gentleman can rest easy: Molière’s wit still ably stands the test of time.
In this charming, frequently hilarious production of a French comic theatre classic, Monsieur Jourdain, a middle-class tradesman, aspires to be something he is not – a member of the aristocracy.
Everyone but him recognises his ridiculous, bumbling stupidity. He is duped by a poor nobleman, Dorante, who unscrupulously “borrows” large sums of money from him. Jourdain believes his generosity will serve him well in the long run, but he only succeeds in humiliating himself and enraging his wife, who sees through Dorante’s crookedness.
One would almost feel sorry for Jourdain if it wasn’t for the effects his folly has on others. The actors poignantly deliver a change in tone in one particularly awkward and embarrassing scene, which becomes painful, while in his pursuit of upper-class airs, Jourdain hurts his wife with his self-involved, aggressive dismissal of her.
Most of the time, however, the laughs are all at the expense of Jourdain. Even when he tries to prevent his daughter from marrying the man she loves, Cleonte, he is outwitted once again, because of his willingness to be flattered and his blindness to reality.
The direction from Andrea Hooymans is impressive and the energetic show takes full advantage of the song and dance numbers.
There are also some outstanding performances from the cast, not least from the leading man, Simon Ryeson, who bravely stepped in with only three days of rehearsal last week.
The cast also lost another leading actor last week and Asa Joel stepped into the breach as Cleonte.
Until August 24
0207 485 9897 |
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