Last Friday I went to see The Miser in Bath. It's a new, very free translation of Molière's play, and is in Bath prior to transferring to the West End. Which means that it is, in effect, in previews and the cast are still finding their feet. I did feel that perhaps a couple more dress rehearsals wouldn't have gone amiss.
That said, it was an entertaining evening, albeit more than a touch of pantomime and farce, which isn't my favourite thing.
The production is based on a (very) free translation of the original play, and a lot of topical gags have been added, some of which (inevitably) worked better than others.
It works pretty well, but it is not subtle - Cléante, Harpagon's son (Ryan Gage) appears as a cross between a 17thC dandy and a pantomime Dame, complete with gags about underwear.
Lee Mack, as Maitre Jacques, Harpagon's servant (forced by Harpagon's miserliness to combine the roles of chef, sommeliere, groom, and others) is very funny, with lots of ad-libs, and physical comedy.
All in all, it was entertaining, but not in any way subtle!
It's showing at the Garrick Theatre in London from 1st March to 10th June
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