Mark Rylance to star in Tartuffe (Remixed) at Marylebone Theatre
mark rylance will star in the world premiere of a new adaptation of Moliere’s Tartuffe at the Marylebone Theatre in London this autumn. The limited run brings him back to the venue after a sell-out Venus And Adonis performance in 2024.
Raymond’s African-Caribbean setting
Darren Raymond wrote and directs the production, which relocates Moliere’s satirical comedy to an African-Caribbean household. Tartuffe follows a hypocritical holy man who manipulates his way into a wealthy household, and this version places that story inside a contemporary setting with a different social and cultural cadence.
Rylance said, “Darren’s genius for language and humour guarantees this will be a Tartuffe like no other.” He added that, “Our early rehearsals have been hilarious,” and said, “The mix of a corrupt English missionary in a contemporary African Caribbean family culture is bringing out the authentic cadence and revolutionary meaning of the classic play.”
Intermission Ensemble on stage
Rylance will share the stage with Intermission Ensemble, a company made up of graduates from the drama charity Intermission Youth. He is a long-time trustee of the charity, which gives the project a clear link between established stage experience and the next wave of performers.
Raymond called the production “a massive nod to the next generation” and said, “Mark will be starring alongside some of Intermission Youth’s alumni.” He also described it as “a tangible bridge between a stalwart of the stage and the young talent he has spent years mentoring.”
Rylance’s stage return
The casting keeps Rylance in the lane that has defined much of his career: stage authority with screen recognition. He won a best supporting actor Academy Award for Bridge Of Spies in 2015 and has two best actor Laurence Olivier awards, for Much Ado About Nothing in 1994 and Jerusalem in 2010.
Since 2009, he has said he has adored Raymond’s productions of Shakespeare, and the two now meet on a title that turns a classic satire into a limited autumn run with a younger company in the room. The full cast and creative team will be announced soon, which leaves the production’s final shape open even as its central pairing is set.
