University to conclude Mainstage Theatre season with ‘A Cabal of Hypocrites’ April 18-27

Theatre South Carolina will conclude its 2007 – 08 Mainstage Season with Mikhail Bulgakov’s “A Cabal of Hypocrites,” a poignant commentary on censorship framed around the turbulent life of French playwright Moliere, April 18 – 27.

The University of South Carolina production will be performed at Drayton Hall Theatre, with shows at 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $16 for the public; $14 for military, faculty and staff; and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the Longstreet Theatre box office. Robert Richmond, visiting assistant professor, will direct.

“The ominous presence of censorship is as present today as ever,” said Jim Hunter, theatre chair. “‘A Cabal of Hypocrites’ tackles the very relevant topic in an entertaining and insightful theatrical journey.”

“A Cabal of Hypocrites” was written in 1936 by Russian playwright Bulgakov under Stalinist rule. Bulgakov’s best-known work was “The Master and the Margarita,” a satirical critique of Soviet society. He wrote “A Cabal of Hypocrites” as a statement on censorship and the struggle for artistic freedom in a communist society.

In the play, Moliere has recently published Tartuffe and is enjoying the favor of King Louis XIV; however, he also has gained the disapproval of church officials, who deem the play heretical. The officials form a cabal, or a secret group, and become content on causing both reputational and physical harm to Moliere. Richmond took the liberty of inserting snippets of Moliere’s “Tartuffe” throughout the play, creating a play within a play.

“More than simply a biography about the rise and fall of Moliere, or a dated commentary on the suppression of artists in 1930s Russia, ‘A Cabal of Hypocrites’ serves as a reflection on the very fundamental American ideal of free speech,” said Richmond. “Censorship is still alive today, as is reflected by the highly publicized challenge of the popular Harry Potter series, and the banning of other well-known books, such as Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’ and Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ ”

“A Cabal of Hypocrites” was seen as a dangerous criticism on Stalinist Russia and was itself banned after only seven performances. Only after his death in 1940 did Bulgakov became revered as an inspiration for independent thought in his home of Russia.

The cast is composed completely of theater students. The role of Moliere will be played by Nathan Bennett, a graduate student. The staging will combine the classical 17th-century feel of Moliere’s plays with “dream-like and nightmarish” aspects. The costumes are being designed by Vanessa Streeter, a graduate student. They are in the French neo-classical style but with highly stylistic alterations to reflect the play’s themes.

“The director and I wanted to reflect the hypocrisy and degradation in the play visually through the costumes,” said Streeter. “So, we used period silhouettes, but we added sheer materials so that the costumes can be seen through, just as the cabal’s hypocrisy can be seen through by the end of the play.”

Originally from Hastings, England, Richmond has directed more than 30 productions for Aquila Theatre, a New York-based company that produces classical works. He directed the mainstage production of “Oh! What A Lovely War” this past November.

For more information about the Theatre South Carolina program, visit www.cas.sc.edu/thea/. For more information on “A Cabal of Hypocrites” contact director of marketing, Kevin Bush, at 803-777-9353.