Kudos to producer Ellen Taft and director Scott Taylor, Ph.D. for bringing to the stage an engaging double production of Moliere’s “Les Precieuses ridicules,” first in English then in French in a five day November run at Eastside Preparatory Academy. The first version of the one-act play, wittily translated and updated by Mr. Taylor, assistant professor of French at Western Washington University, was set in Hollywood and aptly renamed “Princess Butterflies.” After first experiencing the English variation, the audience was well prepared for the original which was recast with a circus motif. A classic farce satirizing class snobbery and narcissistic youth, “Les Precieuses ridicules” plays a minor part in the great Moliere canon yet it successfully highlights typical themes and role-switching deceits.
Under the creative direction of Mr. Taylor the casts conveyed the play’s campy formulas with energy and wit. The mix of English-speaking French natives and French-speaking Americans added to the charm of both versions. Occasionally their voices were not quite up to the task of projecting to the back rows of the large hall. However, the clever use of slides on a stage backdrop helped sustain the action and compensate for any missed dialog.
Particular congratulations go to Robert Riedl, as the beguiling valet posing as a nobleman in the French version. His accent was completely believable and his delivery and acting both first rate. His “Butterflies” counterpart, James Sgambati, also brought panache to this juiciest of roles. The deliciously “ridiculous” girls of the English version were dressed to perfection as were the rebuffed revenge-seeking aristocrats, all in 1920’s/30’s period outfits. The clown costumes of the French staging were somewhat less effective and extraneous to the story though this did not quell the actors’ enthusiastic delivery of the gorgeous language of Moliere.
The opportunity to experience such a French/English production is rare in the Northwest. The many high school students and adult Francophiles who made up the large audiences were well rewarded by this major undertaking bringing classic French theater to our community. Here’s hoping this is just a beginning. Encore!
Gail Mensher, Ph.D.