Audition: Hypochondriac

Come and get a part in this classic period comedy.

Hypochondriac by Moliere directed by David Blackmore – March 20-28

Synopsis

Argan is a rich man obsessed with his own health.  This puts him in the power of quack doctors and of his second wife Beline, who is scheming to separate him from his wealth.  Toinette, his servant who is loyal but by no means subservient, has no time for either his fantasies or his doctor Purgeon or his apothecary Florid (who does not appear in the play) who sponge off him.

Argan plans to marry his eldest daughter Angelique to a doctor, the newly-qualified Thomas Lillicrap to ensure that he gets instant medical care for life.  But she is in love with Cleante and refuses and thereafter collaborates with Toinette in trying to thwart Argan’s plans.  Argan threatens to put her in a convent and proposes to alter his will in Beline’s sole favour.

Toinette introduces Cleante into the house as Anglique’s music teacher and they improvise a duet of frustrated yearning to Argan’s bafflement especially as Dr. Lillicrap and his doltish son Thomas arrive and Thomas sets about making flattering, flowery speeches to both Angelique and Beline.  Beline tells Argan that Angelique and Cleante are planning to elope which Argan finds to be true by questioning Louison, Angelique’s younger sister.

Argan is bewildered beyond endurance which is when Beralde, Argan’s sensible brother sets about trying to get Argan to see sense.

In the third Act, Beralde, Toinette and Angelique hatch a plan.  Toinette pretends to be a 90 year old doctor and ridicules all the so-called cures that Dr. Purgeon has forced upon Argan.  Toinette and Beralde also hatch a plan that exposes Beline for the gold-digger she is and Angelique for the loving daughter she is.

Argan agrees to Angelique marrying Cleante and Beralde suggests that all Argan’s medical worries can be overcome by Argan himself becoming a doctor.

The last scene is a mock medical ceremony where Argan is allowed to don the gown and bonnet of a doctor, accompanied by much music, dancing and drinking.

CAST

ARGAN … m 45-70. A rich merchant who imagines himself ill.

BELINE … f 30-50, Argan’s second wife

ANGELIQUE … f 20-35, Argan’s eldest daughter, in love with Cleante

LOUISON … f 15-25, Argan’s younger daughter

BERALDE … m 45-70 Argan’s sensible brother

CLEANTE … m 20-35, in love with Angelique

TOINETTE … m or f 30-50, Argan’s servant.  If played by a male, the character becomes ANTOINE

Dr. LILLICRAP …  45-70, Doctor of Medicine

THOMAS LILLICRAP …  25-35, his son and would-be fiancé of Angelique

Dr. PURGEON … m 50-80, Argan’s personal doctor.  He will also play the President in the Masque at the end.

Action takes place in Paris in C 1673

Please note the ages are not set in stone.

This will be a lively show with live music and dancing.