15^th – 18^th July at The Old Kennels, Cirencester Park, GL7 1UR

Doors open 6.30pm for 7.30pm

July Moliere’s Tartuffe in translation by Richard Wilbur will be performed at the Old Kennels in Cirencester Park GL7 1UR from 15 to 18 July. Tartuffe is presented by Apollo Theatricals (www.apollotheatricals.co.uk) – a local troop which offers thought-provoking dramatic entertainment in the heart of the Cotswolds. Theatregoers may remember the successful production of Robert Bolt’s A Man For All Seasons which was presented in 2024.

The play centres on the antics of the supposed cleric Monsieur Tartuffe who seeks to exploit the wealthy and gullible dignitary Monsieur Orgon. The various members of Orgon’s family, however, struggle to reveal the truth about the hypocrite, opportunist and parasite who is wrecking their lives. The work is laced with comedy, irony, satire, scandal and risqué snippets together with subtle jibes at the idle rich, the church, the monarchy and the establishment.

Tartuffe, a scintillating and sophisticated classical comedy, was written in 1664 during the reign of Louis XIV in France who was Molière’s patron. Tartuffe is, arguably, Molière’s most well-known contribution to the genre and it is certainly considered to be his finest work. Tartuffe was performed 77 times during Molière’s lifetime and, subsequently, the work has enjoyed more than 3000 performances at the Comédie-Française alone, making the play one of the most performed classical works of all time.

Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (1622-1673) – whose stage name was Molière – was born into a wealthy Parisian family yet he renounced his heritage at the age of 21 in favour of becoming a playwright, actor, poet and theatrical entrepreneur.

Please bring your own picnic to the performance of Tartuffe or alternatively treat yourself to a delicious sourdough pizza and ice cream from Cattivo Pizza (www.cattivopizza.co.uk) at the Old Kennels.

A limited number of picnic tables are available on site in the Community Arboretum but as audience members you may be advised to bring your own chairs, rugs and blankets in order to cater for the vagaries of the English climate even in summer. 

Tickets and further information can be obtained from the website of Apollo Theatricals (www.apollotheatricals.co.uk), from Ticket Source (www.ticketsource.com/apollo-theatricals) or from the Cirencester Information Centre in Dyer Street. Tickets will also be available on the door for each performance.

The Artistic Director, Jacquelyne Morison, at Apollo Theatricals looks forward to welcoming you to this exciting event.

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