Clowning Around. 'Moliere’s Scapin' adapted by Scott Witt. State Theatre Company with Queensland Theatre Company. [review]

Abstract

Director Scott Witt, in this joint production for State Theatre and QTC, has freely adapted the original and given the Scapin actor ideas above his station. He longs for the seriousness of tragedy and much of the text parodies Hamlet, as the frustrated player endlessly tries to subvert the performance with the histrionics of high art. It is an amusing idea - in fact, a theme common to Daffy Duck - but it is not enough to sustain two hours on the main stage and that is where this production has its difficulties.