Review - The Misanthrope - Chesil Theatre, Winchester

(Reviewed for the Hampshire Chronicle)

Chesil Theatre have taken Richard Wilbur's translation of Molière's famous play 'The Misanthrope' and set it in the Edwardian era, allowing an extra flavour - a flick of a tailcoat - to permeate this story exploring the social conventions of high society.  This production feels fresh, with a clear commentary on the superficiality of society in a light, comedic tone.

Wilbur’s translation maintains the verse structure of Moliere's play and uses rhyming couplets which, through Mark Frank's direction, allows some smart comedy moments to shine through, with easy timing, smart delivery and sensitivity to the rhythm of the text.  However, although Frank directs the text very well, it is the action that surrounds the text that occasionally fails to deliver the same conviction.  Reactions are sometimes overplayed, and action on the periphery of a scene can appear unnatural. 

But altogether, the actors approach their characters with a sense of truth that allows the text to thrive.  In particular is Alec Walters as the misanthropic Alceste, whose performance is intelligently funny in his devout affection for Célimène.  Célimène's other suitors, Acaste (Andrew Leckie) and Clitandre (Michael Perrimutter) display a particularly charming double-act, competing for her attention, and Simon Irwin as Oronte, another suitor, is delightful from his first entrance.  There is a certain warmth to Rachel O'Neill's performance as Arsinoe which contrasts neatly with ­­­Sarah Andrews' performance as Célimène, highlighting the lie in her bright, loveable exterior.

This warmth harmoniously carries through to the simple set design and lighting.  Outlines of aristocratic figures are painted onto framed sheets of fabric, alongside frames that can be backlit, providing a silhouette to a character standing in front of it.  It is due to this simplicity that the final image of the play - Célimène in silhouette listening to a music box - is so striking, portraying the innocence of her character despite a (justified) attack from the rest of the party against her manipulative ways.

Undettered by this play's original inspiration from 17th Century France, 1955 translation and Edwardian setting, Chesil Theatre have found the moments that still ring true to a 21st Century audience, provoking laughs at our own hypocrisies and contradictions.  It strikes at the very human elements of the play, and is as thought-provoking as it is laughter-inducing.