Tartuff

Tartuffe

The latest achievement by the Meramec Theatre was the comedic play, Tartuffe. The director Keith Oliver decided to set the play in the 1960's instead of the 1600 which it is originally set. Despite the drastic change in time he was able to keep all of the play original comedic value. The play was able to keep you attention throughout and kept you waiting to see what crazy event would happen next. Every aspect of the show was done beautifully and was worth seeing.

One great element of the show was the scenery. The scenery for Tartuffe was unique because it was all white, and despite the plain scenery it aloud for many things to be possible. For one thing with the background being all white the actors stood out more. Most of the action of the play took place in center stage and thus bringing the actors to your focus point with the white background. The white scenery also allows for a setting change on stage in between acts without have to change the scenery. This allowed for the audience too believe that although nothing really change that they were in a different place. Without the plain white scenery none of this would have been possible and it was a great foundation for the play.

Another great element to the play was the acting. Tartuffe for example, played by Robert Stevenson, put on a very convincing role. There was one point in the play when the mom of the family, Elmire, played by Natalie Nolte, was trying to seduce Tartuffe. Tartuffe facial expression, voice and body movement all betrayed a deceitful man. Robert Stevenson was not the only one who put on a magical performance though as the whole cast was able to come together and put on a great show. Each member of the cast was able to compliment each other making the play very comedic. There was one point in the play where Orgon, Mark Zoole, was talking to Mariane, Ashlee Bassa, into marring Tartuffe when this was evident. The actors are the core of the play and without