SCAPIN THE SCHEMER
Adapted from the Moliére by Bill Irwin and Mark O’Donnell

Directed by Annie Bilton
MARCH 2022

In this wild physical comedy, the crafty Scapin, servant to the household of Geronte, jumps into the story as he first promises to help in affairs of his neighbor's son, Octave, then to aid in those of his own charge, Leander (Geronte's son). Both young men have fallen in love with unlikely, and penniless beauties (Hyacinth and Zerbinette), and both need money to help solve their dilemmas. Scapin knows a good ruse will always win the day and he drafts Sylvestre, Octave's servant, into his schemes. Brimming with zany characters and improvisation, this play is an uproarious romp of hugely theatrical proportions.

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Scapin schemes his way into our hearts in Goulburn

If you are keen on having a few laughs on your next night out, head over to the Lieder Theatre for a couple of hours with Scapin the Schemer.

Scapin constantly lies and tricks people to get ahead.
He is an arrogant, pompous man who acts as if nothing were impossible for him.

However, he is also a diplomatic genius.

The schemer manages to play the other characters off each other very easily, and yet manages to keep his overall goal - to help some young lovers - in sight.

The story revolves around two sons who, in their fathers' absence, have made decisions that would not go over very well with their families.

Octave has secretly married Hyacinthe and Léandre has secretly fallen in love with Zerbinette.

The fathers return from a trip with marriage plans for their respective sons - marriage plans that do not include the likes of their children's love interests.
Scapin, after hearing many pleas for help from the sons, comes to their rescue.

Thanks to many tricks and lies, he manages to come up with enough money from the parents to make sure that the young couples get to stay married.

The theatre's production is a three-act comedy of intrigue by the French playwright Molière.

Director Annie Bilton has assembled a nice mix of experienced actors and new faces to tell this very funny high paced story of a con artist whose trickery ultimately helps his marks.

David O'Halloran commands the stage as Scapin and he is ably supported by Melissa Chandler, who plays Scapin's co-conspirator Sylvester.

She wonderfully brings the silliness and exasperation of a character charged with aiding Scapin, sometimes unwillingly, in his various lies and schemes.

Daniel Buma and Tyler Chandler ably play the two sons with love and marriage on their minds while Brian Hill, as Geronte, and William Pitt, as Argante, bring a sense of fatherly authority to their roles.

Muffy Hedges pulls double duty as the production's musical accompaniment as well as in the role of Nerine.

Her interludes with the keyboard give the show a sense of time and place and serve to support the various moods and schemes of Scapin.

Kate Easlea, Axel Wellings, Irene Marks, and newcomer Skye Price round out the rest of the supporting cast.
The original play is in French but, like many of Molière's plays, it has been translated into many different languages.

Adaptations in English include the 1676 The Cheats of Scapin by Thomas Otway and Scapino by Frank Dunlop and Jim Dale in 1974, which has also been further adapted by Noyce Burleson.

Director, Annie Bilton, decided to use the 1995 Bill Irwin and Mark O'Donnell adaptation for this production.

review by jack mcgeee

Originally published by the Goulburn Post