Tartuffe
An Abbey Theatre production, directed by Caitríona McLaughlin
★★★★ a techno-fuelled bacchanal… Versace-meets-Versailles… McLaughlin marshals the 12-strong cast with aplomb – The Financial Times
★★★★ edgy, irreverent and witty – The Irish Mail on Sunday
A new version of Molière’s classic, dramatic comedy Tartuffe, written by Frank McGuinness.
Let’s see how crafty a picture you paint. You’re making a demon out of a saint.
- Please note that this show contains flashing, strobing and loud music and is unsuitable for persons with photosensitive epilepsy.
Tartuffe
A spectacular dramatic comedy, fresh from its world premiere on the Abbey stage of the national theatre, comes to the Lime Tree Theatre from Wednesday, 12th April to Saturday, 15th April, where the villainous Tartuffe shocks and enthrals audiences with his deceptive powers. In a new version of Molière’s Tartuffe retold for 2023 by Irish writer Frank McGuinness, directed by Artistic Director of the National Theatre, Caitríona McLaughlin, the 17th century classic is given an audacious contemporary makeover. The production sees truth face off with deceit before unveiling who has the last laugh.
Tartuffe, a sanctimonious scoundrel who, professing extreme piety, is taken into the household of Orgon, a wealthy man. Under the guise of ministering to the family’s spiritual and moral needs, he almost destroys Orgon’s family. Elmire, Orgon’s wife sees through Tartuffe’s wicked hypocrisy and exposes him.
Like Tartuffe, and much like it was four hundred years ago when the play was originally set, we ostentatiously perform our virtue, doing so today on social media. Like the man Tartuffe dupes in the play, Orgon, we are blinded by admiration for those that perform their virtue the most dazzlingly.
The production stars Ryan Donaldson as Tartuffe [London-based Lisburn man who is known for his screen roles in The Huntsman: Winter’s War (2016), Killing Eve (2018) and Stumbling (2022)] alongside Irish acting stage and screen star Frank McCusker, who plays the tormented Orgon [known for his screen roles in Hunger, Inside I’m dancing, Affair of the Necklace and Penny Dreadful]. Elmire is played by played by Aislín McGuckan, best known as Dr Liz Merrick in ITV’s Heartbeat, Outlander and RTE/ BBC’s hit TV show Normal People.
CAST & CREATIVE TEAM
Monsieur Loyal: Amy Conroy
Mariane: Emma Rose Creaner
Tartuffe: Ryan Donaldson
Damis: Naoise Dunbar
Dorine: Pauline Hutton
Orgon: Frank McCusker
Elmire: Aislín McGuckin
Filipote: Clare McKenna
Valere: Emmanuel Okoye
Pernelle: Geraldine Plunkett
Officer: Darragh Shannon
Cleante: Kevin Trainor
Written by: Molière
In a new version by: Frank McGuinness
Director: Caitríona McLaughlin
Set and Costume Designer: Katie Davenport
Lighting Designer: Sinéad Wallace
Composer and Sound Designer: Philip Stewart
Movement Director: Paula O’Reilly
Hair and Makeup Designer: Leonard Daly
Voice Director: Andrea Ainsworth
Casting Director: Sarah Jones
Production Dramaturg: Tanya Dean
Associate Composer and Sound Designer: Jane Deasy
Assistant Lighting Designer: Matt Burke
Creatives
T&Cs
- Please note all ticket prices include a booking charge.
- No exchanges or refunds.
- Masks/Face coverings are optional.
- Wheelchair spaces can only be booked over the phone. Please call box office on (061) 953400 if you wish to book a wheelchair space.
- No late comers admitted to the theatre once show commences.
- Free parking available for patrons, please arrive early. If the carpark barries are down on arrival, they will be lifted after the show. Disability and bus parking on campus.