The Hypochondriac
- 45 to 60 minutes
- 7 Males. 4 Females Max 11 Min 11 (Doubling Possible)
Simple Props, Simple Set
$7.97 – $75.00
A one-act, satirical caricature on the practice of medicine, Human nature is revealed and pilloried in this comedy which skillfully skewers the medical profession, a narcissistic patient, and his conniving wife. The Hypochondriac (also known as The Imaginary Invalid) is as germane today as it was in Moliere’s France.
Easy to produce on stage or in a classroom as reader’s theater. (We have special copying rates for classroom use.)
Play Details
Overview
Armand stuffs himself with medicine and surrounds himself with medical experts. Convinced of his own imaginary illnesses but not wanting to pay the bills incurred by his delusion, he wants his daughter Angélique to marry a grotesque doctor, Thomas Diaforus, although she is in love with Cléante.
Will love prevail, in spite of the manipulations of Armand’s wife?
Written by George Freek.
From the Play
CLEANTE, 20s In love with Angelique
MONSIEUR DIAFOIRUS, A Doctor, 40s
THOMAS DIAFOIRUS, His son, 20s, A Medical Student
MONSIEUR PURGON, Another Doctor, 30
MONSIEUR BONNEFOI, A Notary, 20s
ANTOINETTE Beline’s Maid, 20s
ARGAN, A Hypochondriac, 50
BELINE, His Second Wife, 30s
ANGELIQUE, His Daughter, 20s, in love with Cleante
LOUISON, His Younger Daughter, 18 BERALDE, His Brother, 40
ARGAN: A daughter with any decent feelings should be willing to marry someone who can be useful to her father.
TOINETTE: I’m giving you some friendly advice, Master. Forget about this marriage.
ARGAN: And why should I do that?
TOINETTE: Because your daughter will never consent to it!
ARGAN: My daughter won’t consent to it?
TOINETTE: She’ll never agree to it.
ARGAN: But I’ve already agreed to it. And aside from the obvious advantage, Thomas is Monsieur Diafoirus’s sole heir, and he’s worth a couple hundred thousand a year!
TOINETTE: He must have killed a lot of patients to be worth that much.
ARGAN: I am determined she shall be Mrs. Diafoirus.
TOINETTE: She won’t do it.
ARGAN: She will or I’ll put her in a convent.
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