The Misanthrope

The Misanthrope, translated by Martin Crimp, is a blistering contemporary version of Molière's Le Misanthrope, a fierce argument between conformity, manners, and destructive truth-telling.

A reworking of Moliere's comic play. Alceste abhors hypocrisy and the well-rehearsed, sycophantic pleasantries of the chattering classes. He tells the truth, even it hurts. Alceste is in love with Jennifer (Celimene), but thinks she's in love with a theatre critic who thinks he can write plays.