“Molière’s final play begins in an atmosphere of day fading into night. It is a twilight comedy tinged with bitterness and melancholy.”
These were the words chosen by Claude Stratz, who has since passed away, to describe Le Malade imaginaire. His 2001 production of the play has been performed nearly 500 times ever since, making it one of those timeless shows visited by generations of actors from the Troupe. His pared-down production conveys the infinite range offered by this comedy-ballet.
On February 10, 1673, Molière, in the role of Argan, premiered his new play about a true or false invalid, a true or false doctor and a true or false music master: a comedy, really, but one steeped in drama. Seven days later, during the fourth performance, Molière was forced to leave the stage due to the lung disease he had recently begun suffering from. A few hours later, he was dead. Although Molière was not actually sick when he wrote his ultimate play, the circumstances make it impossible not to see the shadow of the dying playwright, who “in his own misfortune still chose to make us laugh”, hovering over the character of Argan. While the quackery of doctors is one of the author’s favourite themes, this satirical farce aims at medical science itself, while also developing a dark and lucid meditation on the fear of death. Written by a Molière weakened by Lully’s intrigues, in royal disgrace, and afflicted by the death of his son and that of his lifelong friend Madeleine Béjart, his last play is nonetheless one of his most brilliant comedies.
This show premiered on February 22, 2001 at the Salle Richelieu
Work first performed: 10 February 1673 at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal
Comédie-Française premiere: 6 September 1680 at the Théâtre de l’Hôtel Guénégaud
On DVD
Available in the Shop
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1 Jouer Molière
Avec Laurent Stocker et Guillaume Gallienne par Béline Dolat
2h10
Creative team
Directed by : Claude Stratz
Scenography and costumes: Ezio Toffolutti
Lighting: Jean-Philippe Roy
Original music: Marc-Olivier Dupin
Choreographic work: Sophie Mayer
Make-up, wigs and prosthetics: Kuno Schlegelmilch
Assistant director: Marie-Pierre Héritier
Assistant to the scenography: Angélique Pfeiffer
Make-up and prosthesis assistantship: Laurence Aué and Elisabeth Doucet
Distribution
the company
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Noam
MorgenszternThomas Diafoirus, fils de Monsieur Diafoirus, Monsieur Bonnefoy, notaire et Monsieur Fleurant, apothicaire
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And
Ambre Baudry d'Asson (alternating): Louison
Éléonore Gattuso Dhion (alternating) as Louison
Salomé Jedwab (alternating) as Louison
and singers, musicians:
Élodie Fonnard: soprano (alternating)
Leïla Zlassi: soprano (alternating)
Jérôme Billy: tenor (alternating)
Étienne de Benazé : tenor (alternating)
Jean-Jacques L'Anthoën : bass-baritone
Jorris Sauquet: harpsichord
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