"The Liar" presented by Theater 3 - Dallas

THE LIAR
at
Theater 3 - Dallas

Theater 3- Dallas

On a Sunday afternoon, The Travelling Toe with 5 other friends attended the matinee performance of "The Liar" at Theater 3 in Dallas.

David Ives adapted this current rendition of a French play by Pierre Corneille that was first performed in 1644.  One thing that makes the play so much fun is that all the dialogue is delivered in rhymed iambic pentameter. Which just means what they speak all their line in rhymes and sometimes it is a stretch to make it rhyme which leads to lots of laughs. 

DAVID IVES

The play centers on Doronte, who upon his arrival in Paris meets Cliton, who is there seeking employment.   So Doronte hires Cliton to become his valet.   But here is the big issue with these two which becomes important in  their relationship - Doronte can not tell the truth, spinning one lie after another, while Cliton always tells the truth.  So right away these 2 men are bound to be heading for trouble.  

Arriving on scene are 2 beautiful women, Lucrece and Clarice and their maid Isabelle.  In his eagerness to meet the fair ladies, Doronte gets the ladies and their names confused.  He begins to court the woman he thinks is Lucrece but instead it is Clarice.   Well, Clarice already has a fiance, Alcippe who, when he finds out about Doronte, challenges him to a duel.  The duel is so funny with a play by play announcer describing the action as they duel - well sort.  

Cliton becomes enamored with the maid Isabelle and she returns his affection but she has a twin sister, Sabine, who  does not like him at all.   So one time he is meet with kisses and the next time with slaps depending on which twin is there.  

Throw in Doronte's father, Geronte, who insists that Doronte get married or be disinherited.

As Doronte spins one lie after another, he is finally caught in his own web of deceit.

In the end, the trusted valet saves the day.   Additionally as all is made right, a long held secret is revealed.  But The Travelling Toe will not share this secret or the ending as you will just have to see the play yourself.

This fun play was directed by B.J. Cleveland, who is well known within the local community theater circle.  He did an amazing job on setting the action, re-action and interaction of the characters and kept the play from lagging not even one bit.

The costumes by Bruce Richard Coleman were full of lace, frills and lots of color.   They just added the right note to each character.

All the actors were really good in their parts and it is amazing how they could memorize and deliver all the dialogue each character had.

Wonderful production and full of fun.  The Travelling Toe would encourage you to enjoy this French farce for the modern age.   As mother always said, tell the truth as your lies will catch up with you.  

Cast

Zak Reynolds                                                   Doronte

  

Michael Kreitzinger                                         Cliton

Liz Millea                                                          Lucrece

Jenna Anderson                                              Clarice

Suzanna Catherine Fox                                  Isabelle/Sabine

Dustin Curry                                                     Alcippe

Bradley Campbell                                           Geronte

David Goodwin                                               Philiste

Disclaimer:   The Travelling Toe is not a professional critic and any opinions expressed are for entertainment purposes only.