Review: Moliere Gets A Modern Makeover In Hilary Bell Reinterpretation Of THE HYPOCHONDRIAC

Saturday 16th June 2018, 7:30 pm Eternity Playhouse

With social commentary the ethics of modern medicine, patriarchal societies and the question of love, money and ownership, Hilary Bell's new version of THE HYPOCHONDRIAC uses an old story and turns it inside out for a new age. A melting pot of comic stylings, this farcical play is delivered with pantomime humour and vaudeville vibe as juvenile humour and slapstick predictability entertains and at time shocks.

Moliere's last work, which premiered 375 years ago in Paris, is presented for a contemporary audience with adaptations that adjust the characterisations for a modern society. For the sake of economy, Bell has streamlined the story to eliminate a number of Moliere's characters but retains the core storyline with and strengthens the female roles. Bell's adaptation presents the work utilises physical comedy and music, as per the original Comedie-ballet, with clever text and old style song and dance advertisement breaks to present easy, if also somewhat crass, entertainment that softens the weightier underlying issues. Whilst the plot is farcical, issues of prescription for pay and unethical doctors unwilling to compromise a good cash flow along with social commentary about love and money play out with varying levels of success as the absurdity and childishness of the pranks threaten to obscure the deeper meaning.

Directed by Jo Turner, this work is definitely not sophisticated theatre, resorting to jokes that would happily entertain a child with its fascination with bodily functions and predictable physicality that often draws laughter simply because of the shock that, "yes, they've actually gone there." Turner utilises physical comedy in the seemingly simple stage dominated by Argan's central circular bed adorned with satin pillows. A curve of curtains and a valance skirting the bed hides often repeated gags whilst also giving the set a music hall simplicity. Darren Gilshenan presents a brilliantly pathetic and narcissistic Argan as he moans and bosses from the comfort bed (Michael Hankin, Production Design). Emma Harvie gives daughter Angelique a delightful daffy dorkiness and Sophie Gregg delivers a thoroughly dislikeable Beline, Argan's gold-digger of a second wife. Jamie Oxenbould presents Thomas Diafoirus, the Angelique's intended partner, as a simpering sycophantic sociopathic slimy creature to reinforce the 40 year old's need for the father's to arrange a marriage. As Thomas' father Doctor Diafoirus, Monica Sayers has created another villain for the pantomime like piece whilst Gabriel Fancourt covers both good and bad characters in his bouncing between Beline's solicitor and lover Bonnefoy, Angelique's musical suitor, the somewhat simple Cleante, and Argan's concerned brother Beralde. Aside from Gilshenan, the other core performance comes from Lucia Mastrantone as the astute and sassy housekeeper who serves as a makeshift mother figure for Angelique and a voice of reason to counter Argan's idiocy.

For those that favour brash and base humour without the requirement for much thought, THE HYPOCHONDRIAC will satisfy as a simple easy night of entertainment, provided you aren't too squeamish.

THE HYPOCHONDRIAC

9 June -1 July 2018

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