New Venture Theatre concluded its current season with a Molire classic that had been updated and set in the sycophantic world of the media.

The play deals with the twin themes of hypocrisy and jealousy through its central character, Alceste, a playwright with utter contempt for hypocrites, who is unable to compromise his beliefs and must speak his mind whatever the consequences.

He is in love with Jennifer, a successful movie star, whom he loses through his inability to control his obsessive jealousy.

The role of Alceste is a difficult one. In fact, his continuous rages and tirades could become tiresome in the hands of a lesser actor.

Martin Nichols managed to bring sufficient light and shade to these outbursts.

Martin was well supported by a talented cast and, in particular, by Jet Tattersall as Jennifer.

Perhaps mention should be made of the conditions the cast had to perform under on the night I attended.

The recent heavy rain had seeped through to the stage lighting with the result that, in the middle of the second scene, the lights started to flicker and dim.

However, this did not faze the cast, who kept going until the decision was taken to halt the action.

After a short interval, the action picked up from the point of interruption and the play resumed under the house lights.

Not ideal for the cast as the production was being performed in the semi-round with the audience only inches away from the actors.

Review by Barrie Jerram,
features@theargus.co.uk