Molière: Tartuffe

Translated from French by Aleksys CHURGINAS
Director Oskaras Koršunovas:
“Tartuffe is a ‘hero’ of our times. A consummate opportunist, careerist, pragmatist and libertine. To achieve his aims, this character will stop at nothing. Of course, in the production he does not pretend to be a saint; rather, he is an excellent public relations specialist who understands that there is no better tool for deceiving the gullible than morality, which he cynically manipulates. Hypocrisy and lies are merely a way of shaping his image, while growing rich at others’ expense is proof of strength and superiority. Tartuffes always profess the ‘religion’ of the day. In Molière’s time they were ensconced in the Church, in Soviet times in the Party, and now they are wherever Mammon is: in banks, politics, and so on. They are always ideologically correct and can cloak their worst deeds in the most beautiful words. The global financial crisis is a consequence of Tartuffism. This comedy is especially relevant today in Lithuania, where Tartuffism is flourishing.

In this production I do not adhere solely to classical conventions: it includes both textual and physical provocations. Molière himself sets intriguing conditions for the production. This author is sharp and relevant. No play in the world has ever caused as great a scandal as Tartuffe. It was the first dramatic work to become an international event, setting one of the greatest states against the most influential power, a mega-state—the Papal court. In Lithuania, I see Tartuffism not in the Church, but among contemporary officials, in modern politics and business, where beautiful phrases abound, but corruption lies behind them. How easily and cynically people are manipulated through propaganda and public relations tactics... This is recognisable in the production. Unfortunately, the next generation is no more honest. It is simply better prepared for that manipulation, which was particularly clearly revealed in the liberals’ scandal. The liberals spoke openly about coming to smash corruption, but offered us the biggest slice of the corruption pie, which we are now carving up.”