The MisanthropeMalmö stadsteaters stora scen, 1957 Bergman placed only four black chairs and canapés on a chequered marble floor – like a chessboard – against an autumnal tapestry – like backdrop. The only scene changes consisted of two servants moving the chairs around. Max von Sydow's mask with its thin black moustache reminded some commentators of Molière. The mask was similar to Vogler's in The Magician. |
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Bergman's Molière presentation received rave reviews, with critics focusing on the erotic tension that permitted his interpretation of Molière's comedy of manners and on Max von Sydow portrayal of an angry young man and idealist.
The critical tributes to Bergman's Misanthrope production culminated in Henrik Sjögren's review, in part written as an official thank-you to the director: "TO INGMAR BERGMAN: my admiration and gratefulness for The Misanthrope. As far as I understand it, this is the most ingenious staging, the fiest, richest, and most sensitive production that Malmö stadsteater has ever shown".
With his Misanthrope production, essential features in Bergman's stagecraft became cemented in the critical evaluation: clarity and balance; musical timing of dialogue, couple with precise movement of the actors; and careful attention focused more on Bergman's ability to present a splendid and cohesive feast for the eye than on his character and theme analysis. This was a marked contrast to the reception of his filmmaking with its focus on thematic.