Bell’s Moliere is so poetic that Diana Simmonds’ literary fancy took flight.

Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House

July 31, 2014

To write a play in couplets rhyming
Requires some quite exquisite timing.
How he does it, heaven knows
But Justin Fleming’s verse just flows
With flare and proper Moliere-ish wit,
And mots so bon t’fair make you spit
In telling of poor Orgon’s plight
As he is gulled by Tartuffe’s shite.
Hard to believe that such a fraud
Could cause a man to become unmoored
From wits and reason, kids and wife
Resulting in most unholy strife.
For in this Froggie classic work
The charming Tartuffe is a jerk
Played by Leon Ford with dev’lish skill
He connives and schemes and lies at will.
But despair you not for Kate Mulvany
Is quickly arrived to portray the zany…
Dorine, a maid of wondrous smarts,
Boop-style walk and bosom-led arts.
And yes, our Kate is a dazzling thing
But...