5 December  1991 - 18 January 1992

THE MISER

by Moliere

in a new translation by Robert Cogo-Fawcett and Braham Murray

Harpagon TOM COURTENAY
Cleante WILLIAM ARMSTRONG
Elise MARGO GUNN
Valere ALEX HARDY
Mariane LUCINDA GALLOWAY
Maitre Simon, Anselme ROGER SWAINE
Frosine POLLY JAMES
Maitre Jacques COLIN PROCKTER
Brindavoine, Superintendent EDWARD HARBOUR
La Merluche ANDREW CALLAWAY
Dame Claude RUTH REDMAN
La Fleche CLIFF HOWELLS

Director BRAHAM MURRAY
Designer SIMON HIGLETT
Lighting VINCE HERBERT
Sound PHILIP CLIFFORD
Fight Director NICHOLAS HALL

"a production to cherish...Braham Murray's production quivers with delicious directorial devices...Courtenay's dazzling, mesmeric performance - arguably the best of his career - is matched by a no-nonsense, whole-hearted company who throw themselves into their outrageous roles. Biggest of all is William Armstrong's flailing arm-and-leg acting as his son, Cleante, but there are finely judged performances too from Margo Gunn as daughter Elise, Alex Hardy as the aspiring servant, Valere and Lucinda Galloway as wide-eyed Mariane. Polly James is a delightfully steely match-maker, Frosine, and Colin Prockter's chef/coachman alone justifies the price of your ticket. That Cliff Howells, one of the best actors around, plays a wily servant shows the company's strength."
Robin Thornber The Guardian

"This is the second big production of Moliere's The Miser in England this year. The first was at the National Theatre...The production at Manchester is even better because it is funnier, shorter and altogether less pretentious. Seeing it at a crowded matinee on Saturday, I found scarcely a fault...There is a wonderful set designed by Simon Higlett...Catch it where you can."
Malcolm Rutherford Financial Times

"Tom Courtenay's Harpagon...it's a hilarious, inspired, fully committed performance, which this theatre would do well to bottle and force-feed to all subsequent comers...the whole cast are never less than impressive, and under Braham Murray's punchy direction, the production fair pelts along, with enough comic business to ensure each belly laugh merges into the next...Fine ensemble work, a great star-turn, and an undiminished fun-filled script - very possibly the Christmas show this year."
Jim Burke City Life