• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides
  • Ed Fringe

The Misanthrope at the Drayton Arms

July 1, 2017 by Paul Hegarty Leave a Comment

Review of: The Misanthrope
Price:
varies

Reviewed by: Paul Hegarty
Rating:
3
On July 1, 2017
Last modified:July 1, 2017

Summary:

A bilingual theatre company exploring the classics in both English and French taking theatre beyond borders.

More Details

The Exchange Theatre takes up residence at the Drayton Arms until July 8th with their production of Moliere’s THE MISANTHROPE
Costumed in modern dress and surrounded with high tech equipment this production makes relevant this enduring classic as it serves to explore the idea of gossip, innuendo and ultimately fake news.

Post election, and it is it seems fitting that in a week where we have seen one political leader resigning because of his conscience, another defining a manifesto with a repetitive sound bite and the third fending off a tabloid character assignation. The truth is getting lost within increasingly speedy but shallow communication. -Instagramme, snapchat, White House briefings, Presidential tweets or political slogans in general – we are increasingly fed versions of the truth – alternative facts!
The Exchange production presents Alceste resisting things fake as he challenges hypocrisy and flattery. However, there is a cost – friends and lovers are not amused as he rails for the truth to be spoken. Even his loyal friend Philinte is pushed aside and the woman he loves is demeaned and reduced by the truth as her free spirit is curbed. Simeon Okes gives a sound and bumptious performance, as Philinte as he drives the play forward, wrestling with the challenge of dropping courtly manners at the insistence of Alceste because “to esteem everyone is to esteem no one”.

Designer dressed; this production is technically stylish with its use of mobile phones making entertaining use of facetime as well as texts, photos and general surveillance. All this serves to remind us that the obsession with tittle-tattle is not solely a 17th century pastime. Setting scenes in the recording studio and creating the chat-show was inspired and hinted at our over indulgence with celebrities and personalities. In the chat-show scene, it was particularly powerful to have Acase and Orente as studio warm-ups – encouraging the audience to be excited and interested in an interview full of gossip and barbs and that suddenly made the divide between the centuries minimal.

Although, dialogue was well paced in the main, the vocal delivery was, at times, weak. Voices needed to be more robust, rounded and rich in tone to capture the fever of finding the truth and dispelling the fake. The rhyming structure added a liveliness to the delivery of the lines, if a little disjointed and hesitant in places. However, there is much to commend in this production – if for no other reason the company perform the play in French alternate nights!
A play (intelligently directed by David Furlong) stands the test of time – creatively revisited by the Exchange Theatre – a bilingual company who have illuminated THE MISANTHROPE, making it relevant for our troubling times. It runs until July 8th and there is no reason that this interesting evening should only be seen by the Francophiles of South Kensington – Laissez-vous !

Paul Hegarty

Author: Paul Hegarty

Paul is a reviewer and an experienced actor who has performed extensively in the West End (Olivier nominated) and has worked in TV, radio and a range of provincial theatres. He is also a speech, drama and communications examiner for Trinity College London, having directed productions for both students and professionals and if not busy with all that he is then a teacher of English.

Filed Under: Review Tagged With: Drayton Arms

Join the discussion Cancel reply

INTERVIEW / Gavin Maxwell and William Townsend talk Anthropocene

Launching on this year’s World Earth Day (Thursday 22nd April), Anthropocene: The Human Era is a digital choose-your-own adventure from [Read More]

NEWS / Thick ‘n’ Fast announce new show General Secretary

Who run the world? A satirically comic journey through power and diplomacy as two highly unqualified women are suddenly landed [Read More]

Guides / 5 Tools for Actors to Enter the Theatre World like a Pro

Becoming a successful actor is no small feat. Fortunately, for those interested in improving their acting skills, plenty of tools [Read More]

NEWS / Digital Theatre & Arts Micro Festival Living Roots

Hot in the heels of the debut Living Record Festival in January-February 2021, the Living Roots Festival launches 5th April. [Read More]

Hands Face & Empty Space / Abel Law on becoming a musical theatre student during COVID

On the 17th March, it will be exactly one year since UK theatre came to an overnight standstill. Every day [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • Gavin Maxwell and William Townsend talk Anthropocene
  • 10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Reality TV Auditions
  • Alison Ford on maternity, redundancy and doing what's right
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • Constellations- Bristol Old Vic
  • Bull - Young Vic
  • From where I was sat, Tom Hiddleston's Betrayal was a bit meh
  • Yasmin Paige on Actually
  • Nick Thompson new Executive Producer Reading Rep Theatre
  • Peter Pan at the National Theatre
  • Paul Hegarty

    Paul Hegarty
    Contributor

  • July 1st, 2017
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • Facebook4TweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2021 · Blue Pie Media

    Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

    Email sent!