Mottisfont Abbey

18^th to 23^rd July 2001

Sarah Lynn, the Director wrote:

The Hypochondriac

The Hypochondriac has become known as the play that killed Mollière. The great French satirist had often satirised doctors and had little use for them. He was playing the role of Argan - the hypochondriac of the title, who tries to force his daughter to marry a young physician to save on his medical bills -- when he suffered a severe pulmonary attack during a performance. He died four days later, his low opinion of what passed for modern medecine in 17th century France, apparently justified.
Molière wrote La Malade Imaginaire in 1673 as a celebration and entertainment for Louis XIV. He said his aim was 'to please'. Our aim is a happy evening in a beautiful setting.

The Translation

Martin Sorrell, the translator, makes the point that every generation has its own translation because they become dated. The publisher who took the translation, did so on condition that every word was accounted for, so that it could be used for education. we have made some extensive cuts and we have 'softened' the play a little in our interpretation - particularly the scene between Argan and his little daughter Louison, but every word is in the original. Our style of acting is not naturalistic, instead delivered in broad strokes, in harmony with the formal style of writing and suitable for the open air.

Music

In 1673 the music for the Court productions of Louis XIV was written by Lulley. However, relations between Lulley and Mollière became strained when the King granted Lulley a monoply and publishing rights on anything that involved singing. so Mollière had the music for The Hypochondriac written by Charpentier. Since Lulley had artistic control over what was staged at Versailles, that was it for Mollière.... The play was not staged at Versailles, but at the Palais-Royal Theatre in Paris. Charpentier's music has been a big influence on the the wonderful music Mike Bailey has written for this production.