Tartuffe

Tartuffe, or The Impostor (pronounced: [taʁtuf]; French: Tartuffe, ou l'Imposteur), first performed in 1664, is one of the most famous theatrical comedies by Moliere, and the characters of Tartuffe, Valere, and Dorine are considered among the greatest classical theatre roles. This is a translation for the stage by Ranjit Bolt. "The religious fraud Tartuffe has wormed his way into the affections and household of rich merchant, Orgon, with pantomime piety and counterfeit zeal. So comprehensively has he hoodwinked Orgon that he looks set to succeed in driving away the son, marrying the daughter, seducing the wife and imprisoning Orgon. Moliere's classic satire was denounced on its first performance as a sacrilegious outrage and banned from further public view. Only after petition to Louis XIV was the ban lifted, and the play's trenchant mockery of human frailties has ensured its popularity ever since."