This was One Amazing Evening. For me, anyhow, writes Jeanine Alton.
Thinking of Molire's five-act satirical farce, three centuries old, stiff with conventions on parent power, beaten servant, swoony lovers and an absurd long-lost family reunion...and also of Ranjit Bolt's proven dexterity in rejuvenating French classics, I'd expected some pretty drastic makeover, laptops, mobiles, couriers, sirens, money-making la mode.
Instead we have a remarkably faithful version, Jennifer Ramshaw's contemporary drawing room set (the chairs are chained to the walls) pays neat tribute to the 17th century in its black and white tiled floor. John Snelson's lighting changes mark the unity of time through the day and even dip at the end of each act.
Bolt's textual updatings are a joy. The Miser's trump card sans dot (no dowry) to justify foisting his daughter on an elderly suitor becomes 'mega-mega-mega-rich'. His battered carriage is a venerable Roller (a 'Silver Shadow'), His measly supper is cuisine minceur replaced by delectable collations from Fortnum & Mason ordered by the young things charged to dad's account. The detective is school of Inspector Truscott, and the final preposterous revelations of white slavery, tax exile and Swiss holding companies dissolve in giggles about Swanage and Hounslow.
All this sweeps along at a terrific pace under the direction of experienced young James Rogan. Laura Murray was a splendid Miss Fixit as Fay, pert, pretty, flattering and wary; Ed McGown as Victor the lover turned steward lavished smarmy applause and toothy smiles who appease his master; in the servants' hall Josh Neicho, Andy King and Iain Sawbridge were Marx brothers stand-ins; Rebecca Wilcox and Katherine Brinson flutter and melt prettily.
The roaring focus is Richard Madeley as Harper, the miser, keys slung at his waist, gibbering with suspicion, railing at his son's designer grunge, fainting at the sight of food, even bringing off the difficult soliloquy when, his money reported stolen, he becomes unhinged.
Greed may not be good. Watching it most certainly is. Take a bow, Molire, Bolt and the OUDS company.
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