The Hypochondriac, Playhouse, Liverpool
Wednesday 08 July 2009
Related articles
Roger McGough has added his own medicinal properties to Molière's The Hypochondriac, upping the laugher quotient in an elixir that's easy to swallow though you might want to hold your nose. This "McGoughiere", as Liverpool Playhouse and English Touring Theatre describe their latest co-production, is certainly a cure-all for those who like their 17th-century French comedy watered down. With plenty of farts and faeces gags, some of the rhyming couplets McGough has inflicted on Molière's prose are plain potty. But given that the playwright himself wasn't averse to occasional grammatical mistakes and mixed metaphors as well as finishing some lines with filler words, McGough's concoction may be more faithful to the original than it seems.
With boisterous music and movement, Gemma Bodinetz's production bristles with infectious energy, keeping pace with the pulled-about rhymes and slack Liverpudlian patina of McGough's text. In Clive Francis's Argan, the sick man of the play's title, we are presented with no dry old stick but a rather genial character whose paternal tyranny is diluted with twinkly whimsy. The relish with which he pursues his bodily functions while trying to marry off his daughter to an imbecilic creep (Toby Dantzic), fawn over his money-grabbing wife (Brigid Zengeni), and examine his physicians' bills is irresistible.
A sympathetic daughter, Lucinda Raikes charms as Cléante, conveying a doe-eyed longing for her beau, a delightfully rakish-looking Jake Harders. As Argan's brother, Simon Coates brings a dash of common sense, trying to cure him of his affliction – a belief in doctors and their endless and expensive pills, piercings, purgings and potions.
The only lapse in Leanne Best's impishly saucy maid Toinette comes when, disguised as a doctor from Pa-du-a (you're mad-you-are... rhymes McGough) her heavy Italian accent becomes a bit of a moustached mouthful.
Mike Britton's simple, adaptable set serves its purpose, without distracting the eye, except when an enormous door opens to reveal shelf upon shelf of specimens. Scatological humour abounds but at least there's no actual toilet tipping. All in all, it's quite a tonic this theatrical compound, most efficacious, as former Scaffold member McGough cheekily suggests, in nearly every case.
Until 18 July (0151-709 4776) then touring from 15 September to 14 November ( www.ett.org.uk )
Arts & Ents blogs
Children’s Books: Recommended read – ‘A Monster Calls’ by Patrick Ness
Thirteen-year-old Conor awakes in bed one night to discover that the yew tree outside his house has ...
Made in Chelsea – Series 5, Episode 11: Louise plays and wins at Spencer’s game
It’s hard not to feel sorry for doe-eyed Andy. He spends months pining after Louise, has huge nostr...
The Returned: ‘Simon’ – Series 1, episode 2
Fragility of life looms large over an episode that closes with the scarring on Julie's stomach. Whil...
Travel Shop
-
‘Hello, NME? I’d like to complain about your Tom Odell review. Why? I’m his dad’
-
Kan you believe it? Kim Kardashian and Kanye West reportedly name baby daughter 'Kaidance Donda'
-
American studio claims it designed London 2012's Olympic cauldron
-
Film review: World War Z - Brad Pitt's zombie action flick is surprisingly infectious
-
Anger Management? Charlie Sheen fires Selma Blair as his onscreen therapist with expletive-filled text
- 1 Bankers could face jail after report urges the Government to introduce new criminal offence for reckless management
- 2 Breaking the Silence: In the reality of occupation, there are no Palestinian civilians – only potential terrorists
- 3 Richard Nieuwenhuizen death: Six teenagers and 50-year-old father convicted of manslaughter in shocking case of referee killed over a game of football
- 4 Exclusive: Newcastle's star talent-spotter on brink as Joe Kinnear sparks walkout
- 5 Vast methane 'plumes' seen in Arctic ocean as sea ice retreats
How will you make today delicious?
Tell us how you plan to make today delicious and you could win a £50 M&S gift card.
Win a Nook® Simple Touch eReader
Find out how Nook® is supporting the Evening Standard's Get Reading campaign - and your chance to win one.
Free reading festival for families
Follow The Standard's campaign to get London's children reading - and experience this unique event at Trafalgar Square on 13 July.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Babies behind bars
Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm
The art of living in small spaces
'Teaching bright children isn't rocket science'
Can technology lure us back to the high street?





Comments