“How I deplore the bogus ways

Of society these days -

A sort of national contest

To find out who can a se-lick best!”

In this witty cutting version of Le Misanthrope Molière's angry hero Alceste becomes Alan - journalist, intellectual and free spirit-who finds himself adrift in a social whirl of false flattery and schmooze. In a world where nobody calls a spade a spade (or even knows what a spade is for), how can the cantankerous but high-minded Alan secure the affections of Celia - a spoiled, feckless, fickle socialite, who happens to be the love of his life?

The Grouch was first performed at West Yorkshire Playhouse in February 2008