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The Imaginary Invalid (Hatcher)

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  3w, 5m

By Jeffrey Hatcher
Adapted from the play by Molière

Translated by Mirabelle Ordinaire

A comic whirlwind of pills, lovers, therapies, disguises, vaccinations, impersonations, masks, mindfulness and miracle cures.

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The Imaginary Invalid (Hatcher)

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 5m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Farce, Adaptation (Stage & Screen)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary

Monsieur Argan is a notorious hypochondriac whose nonexistent illnesses blind him to the con men and women (his new wife) who prey on his fears to fatten their purses. His plan: marry his daughter to a doctor so he’ll have free round-the-clock on-site healthcare for the rest of his life. Newly translated by Mirabelle Ordinaire and adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, The Imaginary Invalid is a brilliant satire of the doctors, lawyers and would-be patients who take self-care to staggering levels of pathology. A comic whirlwind of pills, lovers, therapies, disguises, vaccinations, impersonations, masks, mindfulness and miracle cures.

History

Hatcher’s adaptation of The Imaginary Invalid premiered in New York at the Red Bull Theater on 21 May 2025. 

Keywords
Performing Groups

ARGAN
TOINETTE
ANGELIQUE
BELINE
DR. PURGON
M. DE BONNEFOI
CLEANTE
DR. DIAFOIRUS
THOMAS
DR. FLEURANT

  • Time Period 17th Century
  • Setting

    Monsieur Argan’s 17th-century home. 

  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features No Intermission, Play with Music
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“As farces should, the action ratchets up with more madcap medical moments.” – Exeunt

“If you believe, as advertised, that ‘laughter is the best medicine,’ don’t miss this laugh-out-loud production of The Imaginary Invalid to get your hefty, healthy dose.” – DC Theatre Arts

“The combination of talents has achieved a comic lift-off that is precise and surprising.” – Front Row Center

Videos

  • The Imaginary Invalid – Red Bull Theater Sneak Peek youtube thumbnail

    The Imaginary Invalid – Red Bull Theater Sneak Peek

Music

  1. Shepherd Medley – Cléante, Angelique, Toinette
  2. “Hooray for Captain Spaulding” – All

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Authors

Jean Baptiste Molière

Jean Baptiste Molière

Molière (1622-1673) was the leading French comic actor, stage director and dramatic theoretician of the 17th century.

Born Jean Baptiste Poquelin on January 15, 1622, he received his early education at the College de Clermont, a Jesuit school, becoming a promising scholar of ...

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Jeffrey Hatcher

Jeffrey Hatcher

Jeffrey Hatcher. Broadway: Never Gonna Dance (Book). Off-Broadway: Three Viewings and A Picasso at Manhattan Theatre Club; Scotland Road and The Turn of the Screw at Primary Stages; Tuesdays with Morrie (with Mitch Albom) at The Minetta Lane; Murder By Poe, The Turn of the Sc ...

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