Former Dardanup resident to take the Perth stage for the first time in five years

A former Dardanup resident is set to take the stage in a modern re-make of a classic play. More than 350 years old, Moliere’s Tartuffe will take the Limelight Theatre stage in Perth in September, with the South West’s RJ Smolders part of the talented cast. The show follows the titular Tartuffe as he worms his way into the good books of the wealthy Orgon. Outwardly religious but inwardly lustful, Tartuffe is promised Orgon’s daughter’s hand in marriage and is taken into their home and given the best of everything. But the rest of the family see through his hypocrisy and crafty manipulations — joining forces to plot against him to expose him for what he is. In this production, Smolders takes on dual roles as the court baliff Monsieur Loyal and the police officer, saying the two roles — while very different — allowing him to explore his characterisation. “Each role is different in that the bailiff has a jolly outlook trying to put what he has to do in a good light, but as he is giving bad news, it is not received well by other members,” he said. “Therefore I strive to have a jolly or happy jokey sort of manner as I deliver my lines. “As for the officer, he is the opposite in that he is a bit stern, but acts in an unexpected manner.” Prior to moving to Perth in 2015, Smolders lived in both Bunbury and Dardanup, regularly involved with the Bunbury Musical Comedy Group and the Bunbury Repertory Club. His first onstage role in five years, Smolders will also serve as stage manager for the production, eager to get back in the spotlight. “While each character is small in time on stage, I do like these roles as it allows me to be not quite my off-stage self, to be the centre of attention even briefly,” he said. “The show itself is a really good story, simple in concept but gives an insight into how people behave when dealing with situations that have serious consequences for a family due to blindly following a path without regard for the effects.” The show will run September 7 to 23, with tickets available via TAZTix.