IMAGINATION RUNS CRAZY IN MOLIERE’S LAST COMEDY, LE MALADE IMAGINAIRE (The Imaginary Invalid) 

 

Hypochondria, pomposity, and pretension gets an imaginative cure that will make you laugh like crazy as the graduating students of the AB-Production Design and AB-Technical Theater program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design & Arts (SDA) present Moliere’s last comedy masterpiece, Le Malade Imaginaire (The Imaginary Invalid).

 

Le Malade Imaginaire tells the story of Argan, a rich miserly hypochondriac wishing to have constant medical attention for free, decides to marry his daughter, Angelique to Thomas Diafoirus, a boring young doctor from a family of doctors. But Angelique, in love with another young man named Cleante, rejects the plan of his father. Hilarity ensues as Angelique, Cleante, Argan’s maid, Toinette and Argan’s sibling, Beralde, all try to change Argan’s mind and expose the manipulations of his new wife, Beline.

 

 

 

 

Two versions of Le Malade Imaginaire will be staged. The first version adheres to the classical tradition of the Commedia Dell’arte, a theatrical form that originated in Italy and became popular in Europe in the 15^th century. Commedia Dell’arte is the form that Moliere used in his plays and is characterized by physical comedy, improvisation, stock characters and the use of masks. The second version is a modern adaptation that transforms Argan from a hypochondriac miser to a neurotic theater artist. Set in an imagined hyper-real theater world, the adaptation pokes fun at the pomposity of art and artists. In both versions, imagination is presented both as a destructive force resulting in pretension, prejudice, and selfishness and as a creative stimulus that engenders love, care, and honesty.

 

Le Malade Imaginaire features an ensemble of new and veteran theater actors headlined by Reuben Uy as Argan. Directed by George de Jesus III, Le Malade Imaginaire will show on August 15 (Classical Version) and 22 (Modern Adaptation), Wednesday at 1 and 7 PM. On August 17 (Classical Version), Friday is only at 8 pm and on August 24, 2012 (Modern Adaptation), Friday at 1 and 8 PM. There is an ordinary show on August 18 (Classical Version), Saturday at 3 PM. The gala shows are on August 18 (Classical Version), Saturday at 8pm and August 25 (Modern Adaptation), Saturday at 7 PM. They will be held at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design & Arts Theater, 5^th Floor DLS-CSB SDA Building in 950 Pablo Ocampo St., Malate, Manila, Philippines. Ticket prices are 250 PHP (Balcony) and 350 PHP (Orchestra).

 

For more information, contact Francesca Gonzalez at 09175020531 or e-mail us at thevitocruzproject@gmail.com

 

Moliere’s Last Comedy: Le Malade Imaginaire 

 

(The Imaginary Invalid) 

 

Contact Person: Maco Caoile III

Position: Marketing Director

Mobile Number: 09176292909

Email Address: ako_si_maco@yahoo.com

Web site address: https://www.facebook.com/TheImaginaryInvalidAugust2012

https://www.twitter.com/LeMaladeAug2012

 

 

IMAGINATION RUNS CRAZY IN MOLIERE’S LAST COMEDY, LE MALADE IMAGINAIRE (The Imaginary Invalid)