Tonight I went to see the play Tartuffe at the main stage of Santa Monica college. As I am a person that love bright colors and bubbly personalities my attention was directed at the costumes and hair wigs immediately. I think I was so taken by the bright colors that I did not really pay a lot of attention to the actual play. I will be writing a review on Gilland Jones discussing her voice, psychological gesture and emotional state.
As soon as Mariane started talking I felt like rush after rush of shock and pleasure was going on through my body. My attention zoomed in on her and her voice captured all my attention in less than a second. I have spent half my life trying to reach a voice like hers and here in front of me was this little creature talking my life with her words. She had a bubbly, pink, and cute voice that was high pitched and medium to fast speed.
Mariane has a very dramatic nature and very expressive in her hand gestures and body language. Even though she didn’t have a very “Strong character” throughout the play, she was very noticeable. For example is when she was begging her father not to force his will on her and force her to marry Tartuffe, she fell to her knees at the feet of her father and pulled her hair. As everyone was involved in her marriage to Tartuffe they spoke with Orgon on her behalf and when she was present she would do physical gestures to support their argument. For example she would fist her hands and shake them over her head or pull in a breath in a ver dramatic way.
One of the scenes that I believe she expressed most emotion is when her love Valere was present in the room. When they fought it was dynamic and after they made up their chemistry was mesmerizing. After their fight the maid Dorine took both their hands and made them make up and all of a sudden they are rubbing their backs against each other! We could see her desire, love and how much she missed and hated to fight with Valere.
Overall I just loved Mariane’s performance, and I absolutely loved how she turned this character from something ordinary to extraordinary. Her dramatic nature and her voice on stage were absolutely amazing. I would love to go see her in another play to see how she could transfer from on character into another, and I for sure will be going to see Tartuffe again!
