Tartuffe (Remixed)
Darren Raymond has reimagined, written and directed this version of a 17th Century play. He took the brave decision to honour Molière’s original by writing in Iambic Pentameter with rhyming couplets – not an easy task. It takes a while to settle into the rhythm from our point of view, but it works well. Raymond himself references the cross-over with rap culture, which he grew up with.
The premise of the story is the same as the original – total trust in a religious institution and its representatives that leads to one of its representatives playing on the trust and vulnerability of the other characters. The period, the culture and the setting are entirely different. It’s a 21st Century setting that explores post- (?) colonialism (the question mark is deliberate), intercultural themes (in this case, Jamaican and Nigerian), and those enduring challenges of how different generations understand, interpret and inhabit their cultural heritage. This it is does well and those of us not privileged to have first-hand experience of the culture are certainly given an insight into the complexities, in the best sense of that word.
From the beginning, those in the audience who are from the cultures portrayed are lapping up the rhythm, the humour and the dialect. I confess, a lot is lost on me, not least of all from Blanche Williams, who plays Great-Grandmother, or GG. Personally, I missed most of what she spoke, but she certainly conveyed what she was saying in the rest of her performance.
When Mark Rylance comes out as Pastor Blake, complete with comedy teeth, channelling his inner Dick Emery (if you’re old enough to remember!) I confess, my heart sank a little. Is this going to be another 2-dimensional, stereotyped vicar? Full disclosure: I’m a Methodist minister in a church whose congregation is predominantly from Caribbean heritage, so the reaction comes very much from that place! For those who know Molière’s original 17th Century play, it will already be apparent that this is exactly what this story calls for. The vicar has to be inconsequential, foppish, a comedic character, if he is to pull off the depths of manipulation at play in ‘Tartuffe (Remixed)’. Rylance throws himself into the role and we appreciate his occasional asides to us in the audience.
There are some strong performances, notably Craig Blake (Delroy) and Usifu Jolloh (Oga) who are good sparring partners as the respective fathers of groom and bride. Suzette Llewellyn also brings an energy as Grandma. I can see members of my congregation in her performance!
The fruits of ‘Intermission Youth’ are evident in the ensemble. Intermission is an organisation that gives opportunities to 11–26-year-olds who face social and economic boundaries, effecting their wellbeing. Everyone on stage is involved with Intermission Youth in some way, with Morenike Onajobi (Kemi) and Ivandro Da Cruz Leite (Sinclair) making their – very successful – professional debuts.
There are some tempo issues with the production, the script feels a little laboured at time, especially when the family is trying to entrap Pastor Blake. The ending began to feel a little like the end of pantomime, where we all live happily ever after in rhyming couplets.
I’m left wondering what the driving factor is in this play. Is it a commentary on unwavering faith in religion and the potential harm it can do? If so, while recognising some of the truth in that, I’d want to argue that this is not the whole story. Is it a commentary on the ‘hangover’ of colonialism, that still pervades in unhelpful ways? If so, I applaud the writer for continuing to hold the narrative before us.
The show is definitely worth the watch, at a young, independent theatre that isn’t afraid to tackle some difficult themes.
This show was reviewed on the 10th September 2026 at Marylebone Theatre, London where it runs until the 24th October 2026. Tickets available here: Tartuffe (Remixed) at Marylebone Theatre
Review written by Ian Worsfold
AD/Gifted
Photo credit : Mark Senior
Check out other reviews from Curtain Call Reviews and get in touch to have our reviewers head to your show