'The Imaginary Invalid': Classic in a modern way

A still photo of the play The Imaginary Invalid directed by Michel Didym [Photo provided to China Daily]

"It is about money and body, or, wealth and health, which everyone wants in modern society," said Michel Didym, well-known French director who is staging his production of Molière's classical play The Imaginary Invalid for the first time in China in May.

The Imaginary Invalid, one of the world’s comedic masterpieces created by French playwright and actor Molière in the 16th century, follows a wealthy bourgeois and selfish father (Argan) who wants to force his daughter (Angélique) to marry a doctor for his own good. He deeply believes that he is ill even though he is in perfect health, while his second wife (Beline) is expecting him to die so that she could inherit his fortune. The play explores a wide range of topics in life: love and betrayal, wisdom and stupidity, true faith and blind trust, health and medicine.

"It is not just for the French; it talks about humanity, which is same anywhere in the world," said Michel Didym.

This is the first time that the contemporary artist Didym has ventured into classic theater directing, and under his treatment the over-300-year-old work shines with modern elements. Without changing a word in the original script, and by stylizing the play through costume, stage design, and music, he presents it in a more modern way.

"We wrote new music for the play and each piece that accompanies each plot development is originally created," said Didym, "the way we move and perform is also modern".

A mixture of classics and modern expressions brings a unique yet interesting tone to the play. The funny dances, exaggerated movements and the modern musical rhythms generate a strong sense of freshness in the well- known classic work.

"Is there not some danger in counterfeiting death”, is Argan’s most famous retort. When he wrote The Imaginary Invalid, Molière was both at the peak of his powers and nearing the end of his life. “The work is a type of accomplishment – a culmination of Molière’s entire dramatic output," explains Didym. The Imaginary Invalid is a play that affects us all.

After three performances in Beijing from May 6th to 8th, the troupe will visit Shanghai and Wuhan in the middle of May.

The director and actor Michel Didym has been the iconic head of the Théatre de la Manufacture at the Centre Dramatique National in Nancy Lorraine. The Imaginary Invalid, his most recent production, has been performed more than a hundred times in France, Belgium and Germany.