Tartuffe (short version)

Tartuffe (short version) adapted by Timothy Mooney

(4)
Productions (35)
Comedy
|
40 minutes
5 W, 5 M, 2 Any (12-15 actors possible: 4-7 W, 5-9 M)
Content Notes: Some adult language
Set: Multiple entrances and exits and two hiding places.

When the religious hypocrite Tartuffe ingratiates himself into the good graces of Orgon and his mother Mme. Pernelle, he is taken into their home and promised Orgon's daughter's hand in marriage (even as he secretly attempts to seduce Orgon's wife, Elmire). Everyone else in the family sees through Tartuffe's pose, and his machinations and hypocrisies are eventually exposed, but is it too late to save the family from eviction and to keep Orgon from being thrown in prison? Moliere's classic comedy satirizes religious hypocrisy, blind piety, and deceit, and this adaptation captures these themes in playful irreverent rhyme. (A full-length version of this play is also available.)

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Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $55
Standard Edition $11.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $75

*The per performance fee begins at $55. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

When the religious hypocrite Tartuffe ingratiates himself into the good graces of Orgon and his mother Mme. Pernelle, he is taken into their home and promised Orgon's daughter's hand in marriage (even as he secretly attempts to seduce Orgon's wife, Elmire). Everyone else in the family sees through Tartuffe's pose, and his machinations and hypocrisies are eventually exposed, but is it too late to save the family from eviction and to keep Orgon from being thrown in prison? Moliere's classic comedy satirizes religious hypocrisy, blind piety, and deceit, and this adaptation captures these themes in playful irreverent rhyme. (A full-length version of this play is also available.)

  • Comedy
  • |
  • 40 minutes
  • 5 W, 5 M, 2 Any (12-15 actors possible: 4-7 W, 5-9 M)
  • Content Notes: Some adult language
  • Set: Multiple entrances and exits and two hiding places.

Published Reviews

"Accomplished and funny... Moliere would doubtless have enjoyed all of the contemporary guffaws that Mooney's irreverent version of this timeless comedy provokes from a modern audience."

Chicago Tribune

"Timothy Mooney's clever translation of the French rhyming couplets pokes gentle fun at Moliere's poetic form with forced rhymes the actors speak with exaggerated delivery and physicality...this lowbrow spoof is delightful summer fun."

Bay Weekly

"A rousing good romp...Mooney's adaptation cuts the treacle and presents the audience with the rich meaty bits."

Amanda Gunther, DCMetroTheatreArts.com

"The action zips along at Road-Runner velocity... A gleefully giddy romp that sacrifices none of Moliere's insightful satire... Remarkably accessible and attitude-free... On the night I attended, the audience (me included) laughed heartily -- and isn't that the real test of a comedy?"

Windy City Times

"Startlingly effective, assuredly paced, and very, very funny."

The Tech (MIT)

"[An] impressive original adaptation ... Mooney has admirably bridged the centuries, staying true to the sense and semblance of Moliere while bringing the play a contemporary feel with minimal anachronism ... He has a strong sense of story, meaning and character and serves them well."

News Sun

"[Mooney's] language is a delight."

Deborah Klugman, LA Weekly

"A snappy new translation ... Mooney is quite skillful at massaging the iambs and bringing a contemporary twinkle to the choice of words and rhyme."

Hoyt Hilsman, Back Stage West

Production History

OCT 18, 2023 - OCT 20, 2023
Wellington Young Actors
Wellington, New Zealand
 Wellington Young Actors Wellington, New Zealand
MAR 04, 2023 - MAR 04, 2023
Algonquin Regional High School.
Northborough, MA United States
 Algonquin Regional High School. Northborough, MA United States
NOV 03, 2021 - NOV 13, 2021
HBMS
Houston, TX United States
 HBMS Houston, TX United States
MAR 18, 2020 - MAR 18, 2020
Lyman High School
Tampa, FL United States
 Lyman High School Tampa, FL United States
JAN 20, 2020 - JAN 25, 2020
CHS Theatre
Cloquet, MN United States
 CHS Theatre Cloquet, MN United States
NOV 20, 2019 - NOV 21, 2019
Lyman High School
Longwood, FL United States
 Lyman High School Longwood, FL United States
NOV 10, 2019 - NOV 10, 2019
Homestead High School
Mequon, WI United States
 Homestead High School Mequon, WI United States
OCT 26, 2018 - NOV 03, 2018
Central Academy of Technology and Arts
MONROE, NC United States
 Central Academy of Technology and Arts MONROE, NC United States
MAR 13, 2018 - MAR 15, 2018
St Kevin's College
Toorak, VIC Australia
 St Kevin's College Toorak, VIC Australia
NOV 03, 2017 - NOV 03, 2017
American Heritage School
Wellington, FL United States
 American Heritage School Wellington, FL United States
JUN 17, 2017 - JUN 18, 2017
Maples Repertory Theatre
Macon, MO United States
 Maples Repertory Theatre Macon, MO United States
MAR 16, 2017 - MAR 18, 2017
North Marion High School
Morgantown, WV United States
 North Marion High School Morgantown, WV United States
FEB 18, 2017 - FEB 18, 2017
North Marion High School
FARMINGTON, WV United States
 North Marion High School FARMINGTON, WV United States
JAN 05, 2017 - FEB 05, 2017
Princess Anne High School Theatre
Virginia Beach, VA United States
 Princess Anne High School Theatre Virginia Beach, VA United States
NOV 18, 2016 - NOV 20, 2016
North Marion High School
Farmington, WV United States
 North Marion High School Farmington, WV United States
MAR 07, 2015 - MAR 07, 2015
Ridgefield High School
Redding, CT United States
 Ridgefield High School Redding, CT United States
NOV 12, 2014 - NOV 12, 2014
Cherokee Trail High School
Aurora, CO United States
 Cherokee Trail High School Aurora, CO United States
NOV 07, 2014 - NOV 08, 2014
Cuthbertson High School
Marshville, NC United States
 Cuthbertson High School Marshville, NC United States
SEP 03, 2013 - SEP 10, 2013
Annapolis Shakespeare Company
Annapolis, MD United States
 Annapolis Shakespeare Company Annapolis, MD United States
JUL 02, 2013 - AUG 13, 2013
Annapolis Shakespeare Company
Annapolis, MD United States
 Annapolis Shakespeare Company Annapolis, MD United States
JUN 01, 2012 - JUN 01, 2012
Barrington Community Theater
Barrington, RI United States
 Barrington Community Theater Barrington, RI United States
MAY 03, 2012 - MAY 05, 2012
Cushing Academy Theatre
Ashburnham, MA United States
 Cushing Academy Theatre Ashburnham, MA United States
APR 16, 2012 - APR 16, 2012
Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School
Oakville, ON Canada
 Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School Oakville, ON Canada
FEB 22, 2012 - MAR 02, 2012
Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School
Oakville, ON Canada
 Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School Oakville, ON Canada
JAN 26, 2012 - JAN 26, 2012
Spring Lake Park Drama Department
Spring Lake Park, MN United States
 Spring Lake Park Drama Department Spring Lake Park, MN United States
JAN 08, 2012 - JAN 08, 2012
Cannon Falls High School
Cannon Falls, MN United States
 Cannon Falls High School Cannon Falls, MN United States
DEC 09, 2011 - DEC 09, 2011
NA
Paxton, MA United States
 NA Paxton, MA United States
OCT 26, 2011 - OCT 27, 2011
Oconee County High School
Watkinsville, GA United States
 Oconee County High School Watkinsville, GA United States
FEB 17, 2011 - FEB 20, 2011
Xavier Players
Cincinnati, OH United States
 Xavier Players Cincinnati, OH United States
NOV 19, 2010 - NOV 21, 2010
Buckman Center
Memphis, TN United States
 Buckman Center Memphis, TN United States
OCT 31, 2009 - DEC 03, 2009
Opelika High Theatre Society
Opelika, AL United States
 Opelika High Theatre Society Opelika, AL United States
MAY 09, 2009 - MAY 09, 2009
Spotswood High School
Penn Laird, VA United States
 Spotswood High School Penn Laird, VA United States
NOV 14, 2008 - NOV 16, 2008
University of St. Thomas
St. Paul, MN United States
 University of St. Thomas St. Paul, MN United States
NOV 14, 2008 - NOV 15, 2008
University Of St. Thomas
St. Paul, MN United States
 University Of St. Thomas St. Paul, MN United States
AUG 01, 1997 - AUG 23, 1997
Stage Two Theatre Company
Highwood, IL United States
 Stage Two Theatre Company Highwood, IL United States
No upcoming productions.
JUN 17, 2017 - JUN 18, 2017
Maples Repertory Theatre
Macon, MO United States
 Maples Repertory Theatre Macon, MO United States
SEP 03, 2013 - SEP 10, 2013
Annapolis Shakespeare Company
Annapolis, MD United States
 Annapolis Shakespeare Company Annapolis, MD United States
JUL 02, 2013 - AUG 13, 2013
Annapolis Shakespeare Company
Annapolis, MD United States
 Annapolis Shakespeare Company Annapolis, MD United States
AUG 01, 1997 - AUG 23, 1997
Stage Two Theatre Company
Highwood, IL United States
 Stage Two Theatre Company Highwood, IL United States

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