Overview

Martin Crimp's version of Molière's classic updates the play by bringing it into a contemporary London world of theatre and media moguls, giving it a sublime, carefully balanced blank verse language that is enjoyably savage. The misanthropic, ruthless Alceste is in love with Jennifer, but is constantly being thwarted by various male callers. Starting by mocking critic-turned-playwright Covington, Alceste soon exten's his scathing satiric attack to the whole media circus that encircles him. Retribution comes with Jennifer's final rejection of him.