In a gender flip, Danielle Cormack will star in a new version of Molière’s The Misanthrope written by Justin Fleming.

Bell Shakespeare has revealed that its second production for 2018 will be a new Australian version of Molière’s The Misanthrope by Justin Fleming – and, in a gender twist, the title role will be played by Danielle Cormack. The news follows July’s announcement that Bell’s first production for next year will be a production of Antony and Cleopatra starring Catherine McClements and Johnny Carr.

The Misanthrope is a co-production with Griffin Theatre Company, and is directed by Griffin’s Artistic Director Lee Lewis. It will be the third time that Lewis has directed one of Fleming’s rollicking Molière adaptations, written in rhyme and using plenty of contemporary Aussie vernacular, for Bell Shakespeare. In 2016, Lewis directed The Literati (co-produced with Griffin), following The School for Wives in 2012. Bell Shakespeare also staged a production of Fleming’s adaptation of Tartuffe in 2014, directed by Peter Evans, Bell Shakespeare’s AD.

Announcing the new adaptation of The Misanthrope, Evans said: “Bell Shakespeare has staged a number of Molière’s works over the years, written by the formidable talent, Justin Fleming. For audiences, these are pockets of delight – fun and fabulous versions of the original plays crafted to entertain and amuse. As France’s answer to Shakespeare, Molière’s works are too enticing not to programme.”

At a media launch last week to spruik Griffin’s 2018 season (announced on August 28), Lewis admitted that when The Misanthrope was first suggested to her, she wasn’t sure that she wanted to spend time with another of Molière’s grumpy old men. However, her interest was piqued when Evans and Fleming then suggested that the Misanthrope be played by a woman. And so, Danielle Cormack will tackle the title role in a contemporary production set against the backdrop of the Australian music industry. Cormack plays a savvy sophisticate who rejects the sycophancy and superficiality of the world around her.

“This play is really a story about how a misanthrope is made, not born. And how as a society we are responsible for driving some of our best people into fury and despair. This play is set in the now, featuring a female misanthrope – a woman calling out for honesty. This will be a classic play pushed to courageous places,” said Lewis.

Bell Shakespeare had great success this year with another gender switch when Kate Mulvany gave an extraordinary performance as the villainous, hunchbacked king in Richard 3, directed by Evans.

The Misanthrope plays at the Playhouse, Sydney Opera House from August 28.  Bell Shakespeare’s 2018 season begins in March with Antony and Cleopatra. Directed by Peter Evans, the cast includes Catherine McClements, Johnny Carr, Ray Chong Nee and Zindzi Okenyo. The production opens at the Sydney Opera House and then tours to Canberra and Melbourne. The third play, which will tour extensively around the country, will be announced in mid-October.

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