AN HILARIOUS new adaptation of Molière’s classic comedy The Miser, produced by Belfast’s Lyric Theatre Company, arrives at the Town Hall next week.
It is not for nothing that Molière is regarded as the greatest French playwright: his comedy, rich with satire and entertainment, transcends the ages and the dozens of languages in which it is now performed.
This latest production of The Miser is adapted by David Johnston and directed by Dan Gordon. Written in and set in the 17th century, The Miser is a sumptuous costume comedy, full of mistaken identities and bawdy, earthy, humour.
Scottish actor Andy Gray, best known for his role in television comedy series Rab C Nesbitt, plays the title role in this period costume drama replete with buried treasure, forbidden romance, and missing lords in a spiral of outrageous, comic confusion.
Andy was brought up in Perth and has undoubtedly become one of the stalwarts of Scottish theatre having worked for more than 25 years in every aspect of theatre, radio, television, and film.
“I’ve always been drawn to theatre, ever since I was a kid and I’ve been lucky enough to do it for a living,” Gray declares. “Most of the stuff I’ve done has been comic, and I’ve enjoyed doing comedy. I first got known through Naked Video then a lot of comedy parts came my way from that.”
Gray expands on how he made the breakthrough to Naked Video and Rab C Nesbitt.
“We were all working as featured extras,” he says. “We did a radio show called Naked Radio, which was a weekly show that did a satirical view of the world. Then BBC got a budget to do a TV comedy and we were around and it just went from there.”
Moving on to The Miser, Moliere’s play tells the story of a wealthy but stingy man, Harpingon, who, when he decides to marry off his children against their will, sets the entire family scheming to steal his fortune.
With forbidden romance in the air and the family treasure buried in the backyard, it is a race to see who will come out on top. Can Harpingon stay a stride ahead and hang onto his beloved hoard - getting himself a hot young bride to boot? Or will his children succeed in foiling his selfish plans?
“Harpingon doesn’t trust anyone to look after his money apart from himself but everyone else in the play wants to get their hands on his dosh so he has hidden it all over the house,” Gray explains. “I don’t think Harpingon is the villain, I think he’s the hero; he’s just misunderstood, he wants to keep hold of his money and everyone else is after it.
“Of all the writers of that era I think Moliere is the most exciting. He has an energy to him, he reminds me of Dario Fo in the way he makes political points. The Miser has a lot of jokes about bankers and banking which are very topical. It’s a rip-roaring evening!”
As well as Gray, the Lyric cast also features Paul Boyd, Richard Clements, Michael Condron, Sarah Lyle, Julie Maxwell, Richard Orr, and Katie Tumelty.
The Miser is at the Town Hall on Wednesday June 16 and Thursday 17 at 8pm. Tickets are available through 091 - 569777.
