Molière or The League of Hypocrites
by Mikhail Bulgakov in the world premiere of a translation by Michael Glenny
by Mikhail Bulgakov in the world premiere of a translation by Michael Glenny
Molière is a tale of the playwright's struggle to maintain his integrity and career amidst the dangers of a repressive regime and the perils of fame.
About The Play
About The Play
★★★★ Four Stars, Whatsonstage
★★★★ Four Stars, The Guardian
★★★★ Four Stars, London Theatre Reviews
Critics’ Choice The Guardian
One of the Best Plays of 2009 History Today
The first London revival in 25 years – and only the second UK production ever – of the modern classic Bulgakov’s Molière or The League of Hypocrites, directed by Blanche McIntyre – the inaugural winner of the Leverhulme Bursary for Emerging Theatre Directors. The Leverhulme Bursary is an exciting new award, partnering the National Theatre Studio with the Finborough Theatre, supporting a six month attachment at the internationally acclaimed National Theatre Studio, and a production at the multi-award-winning Finborough Theatre.
Jean-Baptiste Molière is on top of the world – at the centre of Louis XIV’s court, author of countless popular hits, and in love with a woman half his age. But what the audiences see as sparkling satire, the authorities see as dangerous and subversive. As soon as he takes a wrong step, his fall from grace is assured.
Assailed by rumours and tracked by the secret police, Molière’s private life starts to fall apart. In this world of whispers and distortions, everyone is vulnerable. But not everyone has a theatre to run.
Inspired by real-life events and written under the shadow of Stalin, Molière is about a man’s fight to keep his integrity under a repressive regime.
Cast
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin de Molière, playwright and actor – Justin Avoth
Jean-Jacques Bouton, theatre factotum – Paul Brendan
Philibert du Croisy, actor – Gyuri Sarossy
Mariette Rivale, actor – Emma Jerrold
Madeleine Béjart, actor – Elizabeth Moynihan
Charlatan – Tom Davey
Charles Varlet de la Grange, actor – Mark Desebrock
Armande Béjart, actor – Antonia Kinlay
Marquis d’Orsigny, known as One-Eye, musketeer – Tom Davey
Zacharie Moirron – Kett Turton
Marquis de Lessac – Mark Desebrock
Louis XIV, King of France – Gyuri Sarossy
Just Shoemaker, Louis’ jester – Paul Brendan
Marquis de Charron, Archbishop of Paris – Ben Warwick
Father Bartholomew, a preacher – Kett Turton
Brother Faith – Mark Desebrock
Brother Strength – Paul Brendan
Woman – Emma Jerrold