Welcome to this introduction to Tartuffe. Presented by State Theatre Company and
Brink Productions.
The audio described performances at The Dunstan Playhouse will be on Saturday
12th November and Tuesday 15th November with the audio-description provided by
Access2Arts. On Saturday 12th there will be a touch tour at 1:00pm; the introductory
notes will start at 1:50pm and the performance itself at 2:00pm. On Tuesday 15th the
touch tour will commence at 5.30pm; the introductory notes at 6.20pm with the
performance beginning at 6.30pm.
The production lasts for approximately two hours and 50 minutes. The first Act is
approximately 1hour 30mins followed by a 20minute interval and the 2nd Act lasts
1hour. Carol Wellman Kelly and Kari Seeley will give the live audio description for
Access2Arts.
There now follows information about Tartuffe, which includes some background to
the play, descriptions of the set, characters and costumes, and a list of cast and
production credits. This will be followed by some additional useful information and
contact details.
First performed in 1664, Molièreʼs classic, combines adultery, betrayal, seduction,
lies and deceit with the precisely organised chaos that is known as “farce”. This
current version is a World Premier adaptation by Phillip Kavanagh.
Orgon leads a blissful, happy life. His extravagant and wealthy lifestyle is perfectly
complemented by a marriage to a much younger woman. His daughter is engaged
and his son is in love. But when he welcomes the deceptively slick Tartuffe into his
family, he unwittingly injects his home with a lethal dose of chaos. Nothing is off
limits as Tartuffe exploits Orgon to pilfer his fortune and attempt the seduction of his
wife and his daughter.
Set
The playhouse stage has been opened up so that the full depth including the sides of
the stage is exposed. The area farthest from us remains in darkness and has one
door centre back which is used as an entrance and exit, next to which sit two elegant
wooden dining chairs with velvet covered seat cushions. In the front half of the
space, closest to us, five elaborate chandeliers hang unusually low to the ground,
just a foot above a surface of a polished marble tiled floor. An electric Organ of a
style popular in the 70's, faces away from us, with a candelabra and music
manuscript resting on top. This sits between the marble floor and the black space
beyond. In Act 2, a very long dining table, reminiscent of that depicted in da Vinciʼs
painting, “The Last Supper” is the only addition to the set.
Characters and Costume:
With the house lights still on, Nathan OʼKeefe who plays Tartuffe wanders onstage in
his own casual clothes: a grey t-shirt over black jeans with orange trainers on his
feet. He has no make up and sports his own brown beard. Later in the play he
appears as Tartuffe in a long black robe over black t-shirt and ragged black jeans.
He is bare foot with a sickly pale face, pale lips and slightly blackened teeth. Around
his neck hang two black rosary beads with crosses hanging from them. Tartuffe
waves about a black handkerchief.
Alan John, the composer sits at the Organ and accompanies much of the play. He
begins in a black tail coat and shiny black shoes but also plays a lady widower
Pernelle, in a wide black crinoline skirt, black soft fabric cap over the black trousers
and shoes worn previously. Alan also plays Laurent, the Kingʼs herald, sporting his
original black tails suit.
Dorine played by Jacqy Phillips is the housemaid. Of simple means she is stooped
forward in posture and wears a white pinafore apron over a blue housedress. She
has spindly legs with white socks and sensible white lace up shoes. Her hair is
cropped close on top with a longer section at the back.
The footman, Flipote lugging large white traveling cases, is played by Antoine Jelk.
He wears a black tunic, which comes just below the knee, black stockings and
shoes. Antoine also plays the characters Loyal and Valere. As Valere, the love
interest, he wears pale green tails over a cream coloured collarless shirt and cream
trousers. He is tall with coiffed brown hair, no sox and brown leather loafers. As
Loyal, the bailiff, in Act 2, he wears a black academic gown and cap.
Orgon is a colourful character with a twinkle in his eye, played by Paul Blackwell.
Orgon is in his late 50ʼs and has rather clown like curls around the back of his head
with a balding crown. He sports an English moustache; long and pulled to the sides
and a small clipped beard on his chin. His attire is grand in a long gold satin frock
coat with pleats at the sides and large cuffs at the sleeve. Underneath he has a white
collarless shirt and white trousers and brown leather loafers.
Elmire, Orgonʼs wife is played by Astrid Pill. In her early thirties, Elmire has long
dark brown hair drawn up loosely at the nape of her neck. She wears a tight pale
blue satin bodice over a full-length skirt in the same fabric with matching pale blue
satin court shoes.
Damis, Orgonʼs stepson, played by Guy OʼGrady is in his late teens and has a full
head of brown wavy hair. He has a large expressive face and wears a Maroon satin
frock coat over collarless cream shirt and trousers and brown leather loafers.
Cleante, played by Rory Walker is a distinguished grey haired gentleman in his 50ʼs.
He is Elmireʼs brother. His steel blue satin Frock coat has large cuffs and is worn
over cream shirt and trousers with brown leather loafers.
Mariane, Orgonʼs daughter is in her early 20ʼs with long blonde hair dangling around
her pretty face. Mariane is played by Rachel Burke whose pale apricot coloured satin
dress highlights her slender waist and creamy skin. She moves swiftly and
dramatically with small steps in her matching satin pumps.
Production Credits
Cast
Orgon – Paul Blackwell
Mariane – Rachel Burke
Flipote/Valere/Loyal – Antoine
Jelk Pernelle/ Laurent – Alan John
Damis – Guy OʼGrady
Tartuffe – Nathan OʼKeffe
Elmire – Astrid Pill
Dorin – Jacqy Phillips
Cleante – Rory Walker
Production
Director – Chris Drummond
Adapting Playwright – Phillip Kavanagh
Set and costume design – Michael Hankin
Lighting designer – Nigel Levings
Composer – Alan John
Stage Manager – Melanie Selwood
Sound – Mick Jackson
Access Information
What is Audio Description?
The Audio Describer delivers a live verbal commentary via a personal headset
providing information on the visual elements of a performance as it unfolds.
Please
Note: Patrons need to request headsets on booking. Headsets can be collected in
foyers of each venue near box office - from one hour prior to show time. Pre-show
audio notes will be available to listen to on the Adelaide Festival Centre and State
Theatre Company website closer to the event.
Touch Tour
Indicates a guided or tactile tour prior to a live performance, visual art or museum
exhibitions that may be touched. For Theatre and Dance productions elements of the
set, costumes and props will be described and may be handled if appropriate to do
so.
If you would like Pre-show audio notes sent to you and for more information on
Audio Described Events please contact Access2Arts email
[email protected] or Voice/Text 0498 707 563
Booking Tickets
Tickets are available through BASS
Phone BASS Group Bookings on (08) 8205
2220
The venue
The Dunstan Playhouse is wheelchair accessible and guide dog friendly.
Accessible toilets:
There are 2 accessible toilets for the Dunstan Playhouse. One is between Door 1
and the stairs to the Art space, and the other is further around from Door 4. Dunstan
Playhouse: Lifts are available to access the auditorium located near Door 2 and 3
Please see Front of House staff.
Car Park: The Adelaide Festival Centre has a total of nine disability parking spaces
that can be pre-booked through BASS on 131 246 or one of the BASS Outlets.
Bookings must be made no later than 12pm the day before the performance when
the park is required. The car park provides lift access to both levels of the car park
for your convenience. To obtain a disability car park you must have a disabilityparking permit displayed in the window of your car.
There are also two disability parks in front of the Festival Theatre and two disability
parks in front of the Drama Centre, which are available on a first in basis. Disabilityparking permit must be displayed in the window of your car.
Bar Locations: There is one bar at the end of the foyer between the Dunstan
Playhouse and the Space.
Bistro: Currently closed
That is the end of this audio introduction, produced by
Carol Wellman Kelly and Kari
Seeley for Access2Arts.
For more information on audio described performances please contact Jody
Holdback at Access2Arts by telephone 8231 0900 or email:
[email protected]