A brisk jaunt through the life of Dom Juan.

Pros: Very entertaining and well acted performance which reminds us how relevant Molière’s plays still are today. Cons: The political point that Furlong tries to make is forced and doesn’t fit the play. In his preface to Tartuffe, Jean Poquelin, better known as Molière, wrote that “if the purpose of comedy is to correct men’s vices, I do not see why any group of men should have special privileges. If this were so, it would have a far more dangerous social consequence ...

Pros: Good to see a foreign language production in the West End Cons: A failure of common sense in the use of surtitles Molière’s Tartuffe on the West End stage. A story of bad faith and credulity for the age of MAGA and taking back control, in a version that’s simultaneously accessible to English and French speakers. An admirable project, and one that might have made perfect sense on paper. The same is not true on stage. Christopher Hampton’s adaptation ...

Clare Annamalai picks her top shows of 2017.

Pros: A skilled ensemble whose evident enjoyment is infectious. A great soundtrack featuring the great Gainsbourg. Cons: Cluttered staging and an auditorium that (on one of the warmest evenings of the year) was like being at the centre of the earth. Celimène drunk, throwing up in a bucket, Acaste and Clitandre hoofing coke off a studio desk, Éliante and Philinte sharing a tender moment on the breakfast TV couch. Yes, obviously, it’s Le Misanthrope, Molière’s satire on the 17th century French ...

Pros: Compelling performances, excellent comedic timing, and a clever use of modern language Cons: Not the best space for this piece with some poor directing and staging choices I knew a bit about Molière before attending Leicester Square Theatre on Saturday evening, thanks to my studies of the French Neoclassical era of theatre history, but had yet see one of his works performed. After seeing Ranjit Bolt’s adapted The Sisterhood, I know that I will be back for more humorous ...

Boisterous and engaging, but the modern setting does heighten awareness of the play’s anachronistic morality.

Molière Adapted by Compagnie de la Flibuste Directed by Clement de Dadelsen ★★★ Pros: An enjoyable production of Molière with some excellent costumes. Cons: The pace of the show sometimes feels a little slow. Our Verdict: A great way to get your fill of classic French theatre in English. Courtesy of Don Juan Cockpit The old saying, “You wait ages for a bus, then two come at once” sometimes applies in the most unusual circumstances. In my case, with Molière. ...

Molière Tour de Force Theatre Company ★★★★ Pros: Great to see some theatre in French. Fabulous costumes and good performers. Cons: Perhaps some of the dance sequences could have been shorter. Our Verdict: A promising start to an exciting festival for French speakers in London. Courtesy of The Cockpit They say that London is the fifth biggest French city. That might seem like a confusing statement, so let me clarify: London is reputed to be the city which has the ...

Molière, adapted by Sarah E. Pitard Directed by Cat Robey ★★ Pros: Great choice of era (1920s) to set this 17th century French classic. The lavish and indulgent background feeds perfectly into the title character’s greed and his champion’s blind charity and devotion. Cons: The ‘frame’ of the piece (cabaret) was not clear until an out of place reference at the end of the show, and the physical space itself was too small for such an iconic farce. The show ...