Director's Commentary  This was my first effort at directing, and thanks to a wonderful cast it was far easier and more enjoyable than it might have been! Farce is not easy to act – but Sharon and Brian are quite simply, A1 clowns, and set the pace for the whole production. We had some cracking rehearsals, dragging more gags out of every scene. I’ll never forget Hannah grimly threatening herself with a butter knife, and Jack scuttling round the urn on tiptoe like something out of Tom and Jerry. As for Simon, this was his first foray into the world of amateur theatre. He stepped in to take over the part of Valère half way through rehearsals, and he and Hannah managed to get such chemistry going, they were a delight to watch.
The biggest surprise for me was Miranda’s buxom Elmire – honestly I wonder if there were any lengths to which she wouldn’t go for this production? The coy girlish laugh at one point, and the skirts hoisted up, feet flying as she shot off round the table will keep me giggling for years to come. And it’s incredibly difficult to act, deliver your lines, and project so that the audience can hear – while lying on a table with David climbing on top of you and ripping your ribbons with his teeth! And while we’re on the subject of David, what can you say about a man who dares to step into the title role, and one which is so physically demanding, a mere ten days before the performance, learn his lines in a week, and turn in a side-splittingly funny performance after only six rehearsals!
Having seen our excellent production of Playhouse Creatures in 2005, I knew we could have a go at doing this in period dress, and I’m thrilled to say that in spite of initial reservations expressed by Sharon and Helen (who after all, had the work to do) my confidence was totally justified. Thanks to their phenomenal abilities with sewing machines, their vision and creativity and commitment, the play looked brilliant even before anyone moved or said a word! (Of course, I'm not including the weird movements made by Brian in the dressing room - when we say "men in tights" Brian, we don't mean two pairs of actual "tights" complete with gusset! We mean smooth fine-denier socks like everyone else wore. Argh! These method actors!) Jane

Test Dept  Saturday night's performance  was "enhanced" by workmen at the two months overdue St Stephen's Square development. For twenty minutes in Act II we performed to the accompaniment of the angle grinder chorus!

Quote, Unquote  My first ever performance for the Chameleons was an absolute joy, loved every minute of it even the sheer terror of first night!! The part of Valère was a nice little part to break myself in with. I loved doing the scene with Hannah and Sharon which was great fun, and to work with such talented people was an inspiration. Would just like to thank Jane and all the cast for making me feel so welcome. I am now totally hooked Simon
Tartuffe was a whole lot of laughs, much, much more than I expected, so I had a great time! Well, with three lovers, two brothers and two future husbands - who wouldn't??? And many thanks to David who stepped in and saved the day less than two weeks from the performance when I was still struggling with lines I'd been learning for weeks! Hannah
Well it wouldn’t be a Chameleon play without several cast changes! What can I say – everyone was fab. Welcome back Neal, hello to Simon. Kudos to Jack who did a full Sunday rehearsal jet-lagged and grew more assured with each performance. And David….. (he’s blushing now).  Some would say that for me to play a chatterbox like Dorine is No Acting Required – in a nice way.. Favourite bit, well – from the start of Act II with Brian and Hannah right through to the "breast polishing" bit with David in Act III. (The things we do…!) Sharon
Thoroughly enjoyed my part and I think we all had a ball during the performances. Jenny's handbag slinging, Jack's "Pink Panther" walk to hide behind the urn and Hannah's "Miss Piggy" impression in her scene with Simon are just a few of the highlights. But extra special thanks are of course due to David, who stepped in at ten to midnight to play the part he was obviously born to play Miranda
I enjoyed playing Orgon a lot more than I thought I would. The freedom to "act" like a bumbling idiot was great, if a little tiring at times. A bigger table next time, please Brian
I once commented that Hamlet banged on a bit. Put the Dane in the same room as Cléante and no one else would ever get a word in edgeways. Yes, it was a fun part to play. For me the highlights were the second act with Brian, Hannah, Sharon and Simon, and the "table scene", of course! As for David, I know he's uncomfortable with what he sees as excessive praise, so I'll just say very, very well done, sir Andy
Due to work pressures, I was only actually involved in Tartuffe for what seemed like five minutes, attending the last Sunday rehearsal and the dresses. This was both a bad thing and a good thing. Bad in that I experienced the usual patented Rumkee lines meltdown on the Sunday, an event made especially galling as everyone else was so damn wonderful. It was good, though, because I never got used to seeing the show so, in my position as prompt, I got the opportunity to see the Chameleons at the top of their game every night Ray
I have been thoroughly Tartuffe'd David

Was I In That One?  Neal returned to the Chameleon fold after an absence of 9½ years - his last appearance had been in Leonardo's Last Supper! Simon joined just after rehearsals started and gradually moved his way up the cast list.