TARTUFFE
By Moliere
Adapted by Roger McGough
Director: Peter Damesick
Production Manager: TBA
Performance dates 6 – 8 November 2025
Play Reading: Wednesday July 9th 2025 @ 7.45pm
Auditions: Friday July 18th 2025 @ 7.45pm
Rehearsals will start in September 2025
Tartuffe is a charlatan posing as a pure and pious man. He has deceived the wealthy Orgon into installing him in his home and enjoys its comforts. Orgon goes so far as to push his daughter towards marrying Tartuffe and signs over his estate to him.
Tartuffe meanwhile has lustful designs on Orgon’s wife Elmire. Except for Orgon’s equally deluded mother, the rest of the household see through Tartuffe and conspire to expose his true nature. This witty and sparkling adaptation of Molière’s classic comedy by Roger McGough premiered at the Liverpool Everyman in 2008.
Characters and Audition Pieces
ORGON
40+. Absurdly gullible. Wealthy but aspires to be seen as pious. Inclined to be a domestic tyrant.
Pages 12-13: “You didn’t notice ….. I brought him home.”
Pages 67-68: “When we heard the rumours …. witnessed the whole affair.”
ELMIRE
30s-mid-40s. Orgon’s second wife. A fashionable, attractive woman. Has the measure of Tartuffe.
Pages 53-55: “I’m lost for words ….. is led away.”
DAMIS
Late teens -mid 20s. Orgon’s son . Headstrong and impetuous. Loathes Tartuffe.
Pages 43-4: “No , madame, no …. I am still your only son.”
MARIANE
Late teens-mid-20s. Orgon’s daughter. Calls herself ‘A delicate little flower’ but can be spirited when roused. In love with Valere.
Pages 26-28: “Cat got your tongue …… monstrous scandal thus created .”
VALERE
Late teens – 20s. Young man betrothed to Mariane. A tad immature and easily falls into lovers’ quarrels.
Pages 29-32: “I heard the most extraordinary piece of news …… I’m off.”
CLEANTE
40+. Orgon’s brother- in- law. The voice of reason and moderation. Maybe a bit pompous.
Pages 50-51: “Mud is being thrown …… and you go.”
TARTUFFE
40+ A fraud and hypocrite. Creepily manipulative and vengeful when crossed. His immoral desire for Elmire proves his undoing.
Pages 47-48: “Forgive Damis his trespass …. avoid your wife at all times.”
Pages 58-60: “Tis no doubt, madame ….. Sex without sin!”
DORINNE
Mid-20s-mid-40s: ‘The wise servant.’ No-nonsense, savvy and sassy. A key protagonist against Tartuffe.
Page 21-22: “And what business have you here …. You’re getting her in … to.”
MADAME PERNELLE
55+. Orgon’s mother. Cantankerous and highly critical of her son’s family. Deluded about Tartuffe.
Pages 3-5: “Flipote! Where is that girl? ,,,, His character is beyond reproach.”
LOYAL
30+. A bailiff. Officious, mean-spirited, comic but intimidating. One scene.
Pages71-72: “Good sir, I wish you ….. Woe betide.”
AN OFFICER
Any age. Deliverer of the King’s judgement. One scene.
Pages 78-80: “Righty-ho.. I’ve had my orders …. The King he was fighting for.”
All ages are stage ages.