Le Malade imaginaire ・ Comédie-Française

“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

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BOOKING OPENS IN LATE SEPTEMBER 25

Creative team

Staging: Claude Stratz
Scenography and costumes: Ezio Toffolutti
Lights: Jean-Philippe Roy
Original music: Marc-Olivier Dupin
Choreographic work: Sophie Mayer
Makeup, wigs, and prosthetics: Kuno Schlegelmilch
Assistant directing: Marie-Pierre Héritier
Assistant scenography: Angélique Pfeiffer
Assistant makeup and prosthetics: Laurence Aué and Elisabeth Doucet