The Abbey Theatre will visit Galway’s Black Box Theatre from April 18-22 with a modern adaptation of the 17th century comedy, Tartuffe.

Molière’s play, in a new version by playwright Frank McGuinness, which is directed by Artistic Director of the National Theatre, Caitríona McLaughlin, is currently being staged in the Abbey before it embarks on a five-venue Irish tour.

Truth is in a face-off with deceit as the villainous Tartuffe shocks and enthrals with his deceptive powers before truth has the last laugh.

He is a sanctimonious scoundrel who professes extreme piety while he takes advantage of the wealthy Orgon who welcomes Tartuffe into his home. As this charlatan pretends to minister to the spiritual and moral needs of Orgon’s family, he almost destroys their home life. Happily, however, Orgon’s wife Elmire, sees through Tartuffe’s wicked ways and exposes him.

Director Caitríona McLaughlin says of this contemporary version: “It’s basically Twitter in periwigs; brutal and hilarious.”

The lavishly costumed production stars Ryan Donaldson as Tartuffe. The Lisburn actor was most recently seen in Galway playing Michael Collins in Decadent’s Theatre production of The Chief. Well-known stage and screen actor Frank McCusker plays the tormented Orgon, while Elmire is played by Aislín McGuckan, best known as Dr Liz Merrick in ITV’s Heartbeat.

Booking for Tartuffe at the Black Box is at tht.ie, 091-569777 or at the Town Hall box office.