Christopher Hampton adaptation of Molière’s Tartuffe to open in the West End
A new adaptation of Molière's comedy Tartuffe is set to open at the Theatre Royal Haymarket this summer.
Directed by Gerald Garutti, Christopher Hampton's adaptation will be performed in both English and French, and relocates the piece to present day American where a French film tycoon, who has moved to LA with his family with the aim of taking Hollywood by storm.
Tartuffe will run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 25th May to 28th July, with an official opening on 29th May.
Hampton, who recently adapted Florian Zeller's The Lie at the Menier Chocolate Factory, said: "Statistically, Tartuffe is the most-performed French play ever. I've seen it in theatres ranging from the RSC to the National Theatre of Vietnam, and it never fails to seem relevant and connect with audiences, in addition, of course, to amusing them.
"So when Gérald Garutti and Oliver King suggested a bilingual version with an English-speaking Tartuffe, it seemed a fascinating way to approach this perennial classic and situate it in today's bewildering world."
The piece was written in 1664 and is one of Molière's most well-known comedies. This new adaptation, set in Donald Trump's America, will alternate between English with French surtitles, and French with English surtitles.
The piece will have compositions by Laurent Petitgand, designs by Tim Goodchild, lighting by Paul Anderson and sound design by David Gregory.
Tartuffe is at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 25th May to 28th July.
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