The Hypochondriac: Belgrade Theatre, Coventry to 19 November.
Coventry
THE HYPOCHONDRIAC
by Molière new version by David Johnston.
Belgrade Theatre To 19 November 2005
Mon-Sat 7.45pm
Runs: 2hr 25min One interval
TICKETS: 024 7655 3055
Review: Jan Pick 9 November
A potent prescription for medical mayhem.
The expectant buzz in the auditorium of the Belgrade on the opening night of Molière’s The Hypochondriac, in a new version by David Johnston, was more than justified by a great evening’s entertainment.
It starts with a bang – literally – a costumed and masked musician parading up and down the auditorium, backing into the gents for a lively spot of drumming and, somewhat audaciously, into the ladies as well. For some, emerging with smirks and giggles, the evening’s theatre had begun well before they even got to their seats!
Molière’s hilariously cynical story of Argent, a man obsessed with the state of his health, who spends his days and his money taking an assortment of pills, potions and the advice of various quack doctors, even insisting his daughter marry a block-headed medical student to ensure his future care, roisters along merrily.
The set is ingenious – with massed ranks of the medical profession watching from above - the costumes sumptuous, and the ingenuity of the direction matched by the skill of the acting company led by David Hargreaves as Argent, the hypochondriac, and Gabrielle Reidy as his feisty maidservant, Tanny. Amanda Beveridge languishes appealingly as the naïve daughter in love with her dashing hero, Hal, who comes courting disguised as her music teacher - their impromptu duet becomes a masterpiece of comic awfulnes.!
Lily Bevan is a suitably hypocritical. gold- digging wife, and the band of musicians led by Oliver Beamish as a lusty Punch, adds to the fun. Peter Nolan's Dr. Macrobius and Drew Mulligan as Thomas the blockhead suitor launch a tour de force double act to add to the general merriment so a good time can be had by all.
A mix of high comedy, burlesque, low farce and commedia del' arte, The Hypochondriac demonstrates the potential dangers as well as the ridiculous consequences of human folly. Moliere's comic masterpiece is as fresh now, in the age of botox, health foods and colonic irrigation, as it was in 17th century France.
Argent: David Hargreaves
Bella: Amanda Beveridge
Thomas/Florant: Drew Mulligan
Tanny: Gabrielle Reidy
Notary/Dr Burgeon: Julien Ball
Hal: Keith Faulkner
Angelica: Lily Bevan
Punch/Bernard: Oliver Beamish
Macrobius: Peter Nolan
Musicians:
Merlin Shepherd
Polina Shepherd
Richard Lee
Director: Hamish Glen
Designer: Trevor Coe
Lighting: Tina McHugh
Composer: Iain Johnstone
Costume: Monika Nisbet
Assistant director: James Claridge
2005-11-14 09:54:08