Directed by Juliet Baker

Tartuffe is a classic French comedy written by Molière, centering on the character Orgon, who becomes infatuated with Tartuffe, a conman posing as a pious man. The play opens with Orgon's family living harmoniously, including his younger wife Elmire and his children from a previous marriage. However, the arrival of Tartuffe disrupts their happy home, as he ingratiates himself with Orgon and manipulates him into adopting a strict, puritanical lifestyle. Tartuffe's ulterior motives unfold as he seeks to marry Orgon’s daughter, Mariane, while harboring desires for Elmire (and fully trying to seduce her). As the family grapples with Tartuffe's control, resistance grows, particularly from the spirited servant Dorine and Orgon’s son, Damis. The play explores themes of hypocrisy, gullibility, and the tension between genuine faith and false piety. Ultimately, Tartuffe's deception is revealed when Elmire orchestrates a plan to expose him, but not before he attempts to seize Orgon's estate and threaten his family. The resolution comes when the king intervenes, recognizing Tartuffe’s true nature and restoring order to Orgon's household. Molière's work not only critiques religious hypocrisy but also serves as a commentary on the complexities of trust and familial loyalty. It is a farce, a physical comedy.