Auditions for Tartuffe

Date/Time
Mon 17th March - Thu 27th March
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Location
The Highbury Vaults

Fancy a French Farce this Summer?

CADS are putting on a production of Tartuffe (otherwise known as The Impostor) by France’s most beloved playwright, Molière, and we need YOU!

Tartuffe was first performed in 1664 at the Palace of Versailles for Louis XIV, the Sun King himself. Heavily influenced by commedia dell’arte, an early form of professional theatre originating from Italy that emphasized ensemble acting and improvisation, this farcical romp has some of the most memorable characters in French literature.

The play takes place over the course of one day. The action centres around a wealthy man named Orgon who has taken in Tartuffe, a conman claiming to be pious & virtuous. Orgon’s adulation of the manipulative Tartuffe tears his family apart. Orgon’s family, to save Orgon from his own folly and themselves from its consequences, launches a campaign to expose & punish Tartuffe and restore harmony to their lives. It’s a play that exposes human weaknesses and is a fascinating insight into how some people can be controlled and manipulated.

The shows will be performed at the stunning Clifton Club right in the heart of Clifton Village. The splendour of the place, the impressive period costumes and live music with instruments of the time, should prove to be the perfect backdrop for this witty, emotionally complex and wonderfully satirical play.

Come along to auditions and help breathe life into this old but brilliant gem of a farce! There will be fencing, fighting, seductions, villainous villains, true love, a miracle… There’s a good reason why it is France’s most loved comedy and the most performed play at the Comédie Française, the oldest active theatre company in the world.

Bonne chance!

Sign up here for an audition slot.

Auditions pieces can be found here: Tartuffe Audition Pieces

Important dates to consider:

• Auditions will be held on Mon 17th, Weds 19th, Weds 26th & Thursday 27th March at the Highbury Vaults in Kingsdown, and call backs on Sun 30th & Mon 31st March in Clifton. If you can’t make one of those dates, please let us know and we will try to accommodate you.
• The read-through will be on Thurs 3rd April.
• Rehearsals start on Tues 8th April and will run every Tuesday & Thursday (you will not be asked to come to all rehearsals and there will be some flexibility here) until Thurs the 24th July.
• The dress rehearsal/rehearsal with the musicians will be on Tuesday 29th July at The Clifton Club.
• A members-only performance will be on Wednesday 30th July.
• Performances to the public will be on Thurs 31st July, Fri 1st August and a matinee & evening show on Sat 2nd August.

If you have any questions please feel free to email janeleiss@hotmail.com.