IMAGINARY INVALID by: Moliere with translation by Constance Congdon
In this modern version we are given an opportunity to portray complete ridiculousness. We enter into a household that, while a part of this world, is in a world all its own.
The steam punk movement is used as inspiration to convey this separate world within a world. The mixture of classic steam punk regalia mixed with modern dress instead of Victorian attire sets the feel for the play.
Everyone connected to Argan on a regular basis has this feel about them, each in different ways. Beline adopts a more sexual appeal with her appearance while Angelique displays a sweeter disposition with her appearance, etc…
The doctors, eager to keep the approval of Argan and in turn keep their continuous income brought about by Argan’s constant hypochondria, have adopted this form of dress and taken it to an extreme. With their constant contact with the family they have become, in appearance, part of the family.
Cleante as he is not part of the family nor in constant contact with them, dresses as part of the world outside the house and family. His disguise to fit in consists of a few steam punk objects that he utilizes to try and sneak into the family without being noticed as a complete outsider. His entry into the house, however, is achieved with a found object discovered en route to the house at a Red Hat Society party from which he absconds with a lady’s red feather boa and hat.
This feel should create a unique world in which a viewer might believe that yes, in this world, all these farcical occurrences can happen.
The steam punk movement is used as inspiration to convey this separate world within a world. The mixture of classic steam punk regalia mixed with modern dress instead of Victorian attire sets the feel for the play.
Everyone connected to Argan on a regular basis has this feel about them, each in different ways. Beline adopts a more sexual appeal with her appearance while Angelique displays a sweeter disposition with her appearance, etc…
The doctors, eager to keep the approval of Argan and in turn keep their continuous income brought about by Argan’s constant hypochondria, have adopted this form of dress and taken it to an extreme. With their constant contact with the family they have become, in appearance, part of the family.
Cleante as he is not part of the family nor in constant contact with them, dresses as part of the world outside the house and family. His disguise to fit in consists of a few steam punk objects that he utilizes to try and sneak into the family without being noticed as a complete outsider. His entry into the house, however, is achieved with a found object discovered en route to the house at a Red Hat Society party from which he absconds with a lady’s red feather boa and hat.
This feel should create a unique world in which a viewer might believe that yes, in this world, all these farcical occurrences can happen.