The Hypochondriac

Paris, the 1670s. Medicine is a rather hit-and-miss kind of science. It might be lucky, then, that Argan is not nearly as ill as he likes to think. But even his imaginary ailments require constant medical attention, and marrying off his daughter Angélique to young Dr. Diafoirus would provide him with a doctor in his own family.

But the women in his household have different ideas about Angélique's future: His new wife Béline wouldn't mind seeing both her stepdaughters become nuns, especially since this would allow her to make off with more of Argan's estate when he finally dies. Meanwhile Angélique herself, while not opposed to the idea of marriage, has lost her heart to a decidedly non-medical young man. Can Argan's sister Béraldine and the quick-witted maid Toinette save Angélique from the arranged marriage? And what will it take for Argan to accept her true love Cléante as his son-in-law?

Author(s)
Molière (Jean-Baptiste Poquelin) / John Wood
Year(s) of publication
1673
Performance dates & venue(s)

April 6th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 19th & 20th 2013

8 pm  (6 pm on Sunday 7 April)

Cellar Theatre of the English Seminar, Nadelberg 6, Basel

Cast
Main plot (in order of appearance)  
Argan Roy Fischer
Toinette Johanna Schüpbach
Angélique Lesley Loew
Béline Helena Müller
M de Bonnefoi / M Fleurant Franc Fritschi
Cléante Nicolas Hunziker
Mme Diafoirus Karolina Kowalska
Thomas Diafoirus Pablo Arnaiz
Louison Julia Kowalski
Béraldine Jasmin Rindlisbacher
M Purgeon Jorian Pawlowsky
Interludes  
Musicians Ilenia Ballacchino (vocals)
  Laura Vegh (violin)
  Franc Fritschi (percussion)
Shepherdess / Gypsy girl Fabienne Schwizer
Mother / Gypsy girl Danielle Zammit
Punchinello Sam Ammann
Guards Pablo Arnaiz
  Jorian Pawlowsky
Production crew
Directors Roman Bischof & Xander Deubelbeiss
Costumes Claudia Ott & Alessia Ballacchino
Lights Xander Deubelbeiss
Poster & flyer design Julia Kowalski
Programme Xander Deubelbeiss
Photography Amadis Brugnoni
Bar & box office Franziska Suter
Acknowledgments

Many thanks to the English Seminar of the University of Basel and especially Alex Van Lierde for their support for this production and The Gay Beggars in general.

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