Sir Mark Rylance has shirt pulled as he rehearses intense Tartuffe scene

Sir Mark Rylance has faced an intense stand-off with his shirt being pulled in a scene during rehearsals for Tartuffe (Remixed).The 66-year-old English actor is returning to the Marylebone Theatre to star in the play, a new version of Moliere’s classic comedy written and directed by Darren Raymond.The comedy follows a hypocritical holy man named Tartuffe as he manipulates his way into a wealthy household – and has been reimagined with the storyline relocated to an African-Caribbean household.Images taken during rehearsals show Sir Mark going up against Blanche Williams, who plays Grandma – a woman who appears to speak her mind and not be afraid to take on Rylance’s character, Pastor Terrance Blake.Mark Rylance and Blanche Williams in rehearsals for Tartuffe (Remixed) (Mark Senior)In one snap Williams grabs hold of her co-star’s shirt, while he looks on in shock as they practice an intense scene.Another shot taken during rehearsal shows Williams appearing to reprimand him, with Sir Mark’s mouth wide open and his arms outstretched like he’s been stunned by what she’s said.Mark Rylance and Blanche Williams in rehearsals for Tartuffe (Remixed) (Mark Senior)Despite their passionate scenes, one of the behind-the-scenes photos captures the pair holding their scripts and smiling.Other characters also appear to be engaged in tense interactions, with Ivandro Da Cruz Leite holding his fist up passionately.Ivandro Da Cruz Leite as Sinclair (Mark Senior)Craig Blake – who plays Delroy – also raises his eyebrows and tilts his head while pointing his finger down in what appears to be another attention-grabbing scene, with Morenike Onajobi, who plays Kemi, also holding up her finger and pointing in another animated exchange.In one other photo she appears to tell Blake’s character to quieten down, holding her fingers up to his mouth while looking unimpressed.Craig Blake plays Delroy (Mark Senior)This new adaptation of Moliere’s work has been described by the Marylebone Theatre as a “joyful celebration of faith, family, forgiveness, and the courage to speak truth to power”.Read MoreInspired by the lens of a contemporary Nigerian-Jamaican family, the synopsis has teased: “The outspoken Afolabi–Williams family gathers at Oga Afolabi’s mansion as preparations begin for the wedding of his daughter. With relatives arriving from far and wide, family traditions are in full swing, emotions are running high, and opinions are never in short supply.“But when a charismatic man of God who has won Oga’s unwavering trust, takes up residence in the family home, old wounds reopen, loyalties are tested, and faith itself becomes a battleground.“As the wedding day draws ever closer, the family must expose the truth before everything they hold dear is torn apart.”Craig Blake and Morenike Onajobi play Delroy and Kemi (Mark Senior)The show also features Sara Mokonen as Adanna, Christopher Mbaki as D-Miz, Nakeba Buchanan as Elmire, and Usifu Jalloh as Oga.Sir Mark previously said: “Darren’s genius for language and humour guarantees this will be a Tartuffe like no other.“Our early rehearsals have been hilarious. The mix of a corrupt English missionary in a contemporary African Caribbean family culture is bringing out the authentic cadence and revolutionary meaning of this classic play.”Morenike Onajobi plays Kemi (Mark Senior)The actor previously appeared at the theatre in 2024 with a sell-out performance of Venus And Adonis.The actor is known for starring as Henry VIII’s adviser Thomas Cromwell in the BBC drama Wolf Hall.He also won an Academy Award for best supporting actor in 2015’s Bridge Of Spies and has taken home two best actor Laurence Olivier awards including in 1994 for his role in Much Ado About Nothing and again in 2010 for Jerusalem.Sir Mark said their early rehearsals had been ‘hilarious’ (Ian West/ PA)PA ArchiveTartuffe (Remixed) runs from September 4 until October 24 at the Marylebone Theatre.Tickets are available from https://tickets.marylebonetheatre.com/shop/tickets/series/TARTUFFEREMIXED