The Miser (1968)
by Molière
Translated by Miles Malleson
Directed by Victor Shaw
Performances: Sun 1st – Sat 7th December 1968, Theatre
Contents
Introduction
Text about the play
Cast
- Valere - Raymond Jones
- Elise - Janice Grady
- Cleante - Alain Bouvier
- Harpagon, the Miser - Charles Cheetham
- La Fleche - Michael Archer
- Master Simon - Kevin Pither
- Frosine - Anna Greenburg
- Jaques - Bernard Bullbrook
- 1st Servant - Patrick Hamilton-Flint
- 2nd Servant - James Morgan
- Mariane - Cynthia Fletcher
- Justice of the Peace - Eric Twelftree
- Clerk to the Justice - Tony Saill
- Seigneur Anselm - Alan Firminger
Crew
- Stage Manager - Sheila Rees
- Assisted by - Lesley Morris, Frances Howard, Ruth Shettle
- Lighting - Keith Walmesley
- Setting - Charles Paffey
- Wardrobe - Sue Gyde, Sheila Pasco
- Assistant to the director - Patrick Hamilton-Flint
- F.O.H. Manager - Frank Howcutt
- Box Office Manager - Ralph Wade
Reviews
After the agonies of Tennessee Williams, South London Theatre Centre have decided it is time for a good laugh; and that is exactly what they have given us in Victor Shaw's Hard-hitting production......
As a matter of fact, I did laugh a great deal.... Charles Cheetham has been given his biggest chance to date with the Centre. As Harpegon, je my lack Miles Matheson's gift of creating a mood with a quiver of the chin or a flick of the eyelid. But he has his own considerable flair for broad comedy, and he uses it here in full measure......
Such was the fervour of the acting on Sunday that Bernard Bullbrook, who was busily creating an excellent little cameo as Jacques, was actually injured in his encounter with Harpagon, causing the curtains to be drwn for about five minutes while he received mediacl attention.
The movements are not all worked out satisfactorily, but the production in general caries the action forwards in fine style. There is some very good supporting work by, in particular, Raymond Jones (Valere), and Janice Grady (Elsie). And Anna Greenburg has a good deal of fire, and knows how to get the most out of such odd-ball lines as "What's 60 to a man of your age."
The set, in black relieved by white pillars, is simple yet effective, but some of the make-up (notably that of Alain Bouvier, as an otherwise effective Cleante) is laid on with heavy hand.
You can take a bow, Victor Shaw; you have succeeded in your "sole purpose".
Donald Madgwick, The Croydon Advertiser 5/12/68
Gallery
Reminiscences and Anecdotes
Members are encouraged to write about their experiences of working on or seeing this production. Please leave your name. Anonymous entries may be deleted.
See Also
- Tartuffe (1988) (Bell Theatre)
- The Miser (2004) (Bell Theatre)
- The Hypochondriac (2013) (Bell Theatre)
- The Misanthrope (2018) (Old Fire Station)
References
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