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School for Wives
by Moliere (London premiere of Neil Bartlett’s adaptation)
5th - 23rd March 2013, White Bear Theatre.
| Arnold: | My fiancee is not only pure....but simple |
| Chrysalde: | Oh I see, don’t tell me – the girl has just left school |
| Arnold: | He’s a fool that marries; but not if she’s a fool |
Man’s inhumanity to woman; control versus love; youth versus age; tricks, counter tricks, disguises and mistaken identity - Moliere’s comedy, in an energetic modern version by Neil Bartlett, takes us on a riotous journey through rhyming couplets and off the wall humour for a fast-paced, frantic evening!
Pompous local Councillor Arnold has shut his young ward Agnes away for years to make sure she grows up too innocent to cheat on him. Now she’s reached 16 he’s planning the wedding, but her child-like nature has led her to open her heart in innocent friendliness to young Horace, who’s now making similar plans. Horace turns to Arnold for help to steal Agnes away, little realising he’s the very rival he’s trying to fool. Luckily Arnold has two servants who are guaranteed to create chaos with their incompetence.
| Arnold: | But why don’t you love me, why don’t you love me, why ?? |
| Agnes: | Oh God ! I don’t see why I always get the blame; |
| If he made me love him, you could have done the same |
Directed by Jenny Eastop
Cast: Tom Barratt, Beth Eyre, Stephen Good, Elliot Hardy, Jonathon Reid, Alexandra Ryall
Written by Moliere
Translated and adapted by Neil Bartlett
Reviews:
The New Current (5 stars)
Notes of an Idealist (4 stars)
One Stop Arts (4 stars)
Everything Theatre (4 stars)
Photos by Dylan Browne:
