Review: Tartuffe (Remixed), Marylebone Theatre

It’s been nearly 20 years since Intermission Youth was founded – an organisation creating life-changing opportunities for underrepresented people through theatre. Many of their graduates now feature professionally in Tartuffe (Remixed), Artistic Director Darren Raymond’s imaginative reworking of Moliere’s classic tale of deception, religious hypocrisy and the dangers of blind faith.

This version sees a Nigerian-Jamaican family anticipating the wedding of Sinclair (Ivandro Da Cruz Leite) and Adanna (Sara Mokonen). However, the bride-to-be’s father, Oga (Usifu Jalloah), has invited creepy Pastor Blake (the Tartuffe figure, played by Mark Rylance) into the mix. He’s not what he seems, and the families are bamboozled, mistrusting each other while the clergyman takes advantage.

It’s perhaps relevant that Raymond has already written 15 Shakespeare-based plays for Intermission, embracing not only the Bard’s great stories, poetry and characterisation but the examination of global humanity he allows. This reimagining of Molière is equally successful. Tartuffe (Remixed) is as farcical as farce can be, overflowing with outrageous humour and joyful jesting that has the audience laughing uproariously. But it is also surprisingly shot through with astute truths and reflections on universal issues, which brings rich depth to an otherwise frivolous comedy. The poetic tale acknowledges fine details of the conjoined families’ cultures yet widens its vision to comment on universal topics concerning love, the role of women, victim shaming, and timeless dangers such as delusionally accepting the performance of piety, even as it disguises deceit (US viewers, look away now). Raymond’s direction keeps things active, with actors cheekily engaging the audience in momentary, enchanting connections.

The verse too is animated, bridging heritage with a modern worldview in its fusion of vocabularies. It’s a little unforgiving at times for actors performing a brand new play, but they nonetheless keep things flowing well. The show packs a lot in thematically, at moments feeling a little wordy as it’s all unloaded. However, the whole is ripe for finessing and already impressive in many ways, including the ostentatious set and breathtaking costume design by ULTZ and Shola Ajayi, supported by Maybelle Laye, which so effortlessly add to the understanding of the family. 

The talented cast is beautifully blended, with Raymond’s carefully outlined characters creating intergenerational and cultural resonances. They have distinct roles, from the stereotypical Caribbean Grandma (Suzette Llewellyn) to Mokonen’s dutiful daughter, to Jalloah’s dauntingly domineering father figure. Christopher Mbaki as D-Miz is outstanding as a voice of modern possibility. Most importantly, Raymond gives a respectful voice to strong women, Adanna articulating succinctly with the clarity of youth, and Nakeba Buchanan delivering heart-rending poignancy as the victim-shamed Elmire, adding a whole extra level to the production.

And what about Rylance, you may ask? With his Dick Emery vicar’s teeth, socks and sandals, his Pastor is the only white character and impeccably played as a colonising villain, there to steal the families’ money, music and culture. He’s fabulously funny, but manages to keep the show from being about himself. Come the end, he reminds us that two of the cast are making their debut performances, revealing Ivandro Da Cruz Leite as one, delightfully entertaining as the dopey fiancé, Sinclair. I actually caught my breath on learning the other was Morenike Onajobi, who is an absolute show-stealer as Kemi, and I can’t wait to see what she goes on to do. Excitingly, ten graduates from Intermission Youth’s training programme will also feature in the ensemble on rotation throughout the run.

The ending brings the story to a resolution and describes a family united in God, if rather expositionally. However, Tartuffe (Remixed) is undoubtedly a glorious success. With relentless comedy, upbeat music and reggae beats from Duramaney Kamara, Raymond has crafted a room full of sunshine that is ambitious and uniquely innovative. 

Director & Writer: Darren Raymond
Designer: ULTZ
Lighting Designer: Simisola Majekodunmi
Sound Designer & Composer: Duramaney Kamara
Associate Costume Designer & Costume Supervisor: Maybelle Laye
General Manager: Wild Yak
Presented by Marylebone Theatre, Patrick Myles & David Luff & Shakespeare Road in partnership with Intermission

Tartuffe (Remixed) runs at Marylebone Theatre until Saturday 24 October