Bergman took one of his favourite plays to Copenhagen for a guest performance, which was even broadcast on Danish TV. In his Copenhagen The Misanthrope, Bergman maintained a dual approach. On the one hand, a production of Molière's play as a theatrical game performed in style and intellectually conceived; on the other hand, an exposure, through physical and psychological intensity, of the emotional tragedy in which Alceste and Celemine are both victims. Expectations were high prior to Bergman's production of The Misanthrope. A reviewer wrote, 'For the first time Molière's connection to the Danish stage is intercepted by a director whose forte is physiological tragedy, Strindberg over Holberg'. Many reviews had expected Bergman to put his very personal stamp on the production. Instead they experienced 'a clean Molière' and were struck by Bergman's faithfulness to the original mise-en-scene and to the classical rhythm of Molière's text.

Cast

Hanne Borchsenius

Éliante

Holger Juul Hansen

Phillinte

Paul Hüttel

Basque

Henning Moritzen

Alceste

Erik Mørk

Acaste

Ghita Nørby

Célimène

Lise Ringheim

Arsinoë

Ebbe Rode

Oronte

Peter Steen

Clitandre

Olaf Ussing

A messenger

Benny Hansen

Dubois