The Hypochondriac

Genre: Comedy
Opened 17 Nov 2005
Written: by Moliere, a new version by Richard Bean
Directed: Lindsay Posner
Cast: Henry Goodman (Argan), Ronni Ancona (Beline), Kris Marshall (Cleante), Stephen Beard (Fleurant), Stephen Boxer (Beralde), Simon Gregor (Purgon), David Killick (Monsieur Diaforus), John Marquez (Thomas), Lyndsey Marshal (Toinette), Carey Mulligan (Angelique), Gyuri Sarossy (Bonnefoi)
Synopsis: Argan loves to be sick. Being sick is his main occupation. Telling Argan that he is looking well is considered a dire offense. Stretching comic boundaries and mixing a heady cocktail of religion and medicine

What the critics had to say.....
NICHOLAS DE JONGH for EVENING STANDARD says, "Posner's production settles mainly for grotesque farce tempered by flashes of social comedy...a populist production that does Moliere to silly, clowning excess." PAUL TAYLOR for THE INDEPENDENT says, "The revised ending, which embraces the obvious irony that Moliere fatally collapsed while he was playing the central role, feels too tacked-on and downbeat. Before that, though, the production shows that, just as laughter is the best medicine, the topic of medicine can often produce the best laughter." MICHAEL BILLINGTON for THE GUARDIAN says, "Hilarious new version...The show's virtue, however, is its fidelity to Moliere in combining broad-bottomed farce with an assault on the morbid egotism of those for whom illness becomes a way of life." CHARLES SPENCER for THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "Riotously entertaining...This is a fresh-as-paint revival of a usually dusty comedy." BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE for THE TIMES says, "With the always watchable Goodman at his most childishly monomaniacal and (literally) pottily obsessed, here's an evening to relish." ALASTAIR MACAULAY for THE FINANCIAL TIMES says, "Most of it is as funny as any Molière I have seen; and thanks to Giles Cadle's period designs, it looks unshowy but gorgeous."

External links to full reviews from popular press
The Independent
The Guardian
The Times
Financial Times
Daily Telegraph