An Abbey Theatre production
Tartuffe (Tour)
12 April - 13 May 2023
A new version by Frank McGuinness
Directed by Caitríona McLaughlin
Booking Information
Tickets are available from our touring partners’ websites.
12 – 15 April at The Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick
18 – 22 April at the Black Box Theatre, Galway
25 – 29 April at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast
3 – 6 May at An Grianán Theatre, Donegal
9 – 13 May at Cork Opera House, Cork
Running time: Approx. 2 hours and 25 minutes, including a 20-minute interval
Age recommendation: 14+
Please note that this show contains flashing, strobing and loud music and is unsuitable for persons with photosensitive epilepsy.
‘The only crime lies in being found out’
The Abbey Theatre’s Tartuffe is a classic dramatic comedy about a hypocrite; a fraud who inveigles himself into a family’s home and heart.
Molière didn’t know he was writing about 21st century Ireland, but Frank McGuinness certainly did. We can all recognise figures like Tartuffe, who say one thing but do another behind closed doors. The difference is that, today, Tartuffe uses 280 characters and knows all the best angles for his selfies.
Under Caitríona McLaughlin’s direction, Frank McGuinness’s retelling of this exuberant farce is wrapped in a flamboyant production, reflecting the age in which we live. Lavish design and costumes are more haute couture than baroque, while the pop-influenced soundtrack is a statement in itself.
Special thanks to Lancôme for partnering with us on our production of Tartuffe.
Reviews
★★★★
‘a techno-fuelled bacchanal... Versace-meets-Versailles... McLaughlin marshals the 12-strong cast with aplomb’
The Financial Times
★★★★
‘edgy, irreverent and witty’
The Irish Mail on Sunday
‘an effervescent production in which great actors have a brilliant time’
The Irish Times
‘a madcap production full of surprises’
Irish Independent
Show Trailer
Production Images
Production images by Ros Kavanagh
Trailer
Digital programme
The digital programme for Tartuffe is available to download here.
Post-Show Talks: Changing the Conversation
The Abbey Theatre has initiated a series of post-show discussions on themes emerging from Tartuffe, Moliere’s 17th-century satire on religious hypocrisy and dangerous gullibility, in a new translation by Frank McGuinness. The discussions will focus on the origins of these themes in the play and broaden out to encompass reflections on their relevance for Ireland in the past and the present.
Me Too: confronting patriarchy and sexual oppression | 23 March
Roisin Ingle and Sarah Monaghan discuss how have we done since Waking the Feminists was launched out of this very theatre and if toxic masculinity is a response to women’s attempts to defeat sexual oppression?
Religious hypocrisy: a besetting Irish failing? | 6 April
Gene Kerrigan and Caelainn Hogan examine if hypocrisy is part of the Irish system of elision of difficult things.
Tour Dates
- 12 – 15 April at The Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick
- 18 – 22 April at the Black Box Theatre, Galway
- 25 – 29 April at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast
- 3 – 6 May at An Grianán Theatre, Donegal
- 9 – 13 May at Cork Opera House, Cork
Foireann Abbey
As part of the Tartuffe tour, in partnership with our touring venues, we’re offering group tickets. Not only will this be an opportunity to see the Abbey’s work, you will also get to meet with a member of the Abbey team to hear about how the show was made and what else the Abbey is planning in 2023. We are particularly interested in rural groups and in those who may not have previously seen work by the Abbey. Please contact aoife.mccollum@abbeytheatre.ie to find out more.
Audio-described programme notes
Download the audio-described programme notes here, or listen to them below.
