The Hypochondriac
Theatre Royal, Bath
There is always great debate when a much-loved classic is given a new lease of life for a new century.
Richard Bean has had huge success with updating Carlo Goldoni's 18th century classic The Servant of Two Masters both in London's West End and recently here in Bath.
Now he has turned to his hand to Moliere's even earlier play They Hypochondriac which is now a home grown Theatre Royal production and which is, not surprisingly, bound straight for London's theatreland after its opening performances in Bath and a short tour.
The central character is the penny-pinching Argan obsessed with a long list of totally imaginary ailments and with his daily bodily functions which allows Mr Bean to tap straight in to the British taste for lavatorial humour.
In another classic example of Theatre Royal Bath Productions getting exactly the right actor for the right part, Tony Robinson – best known for playing Baldrick in TV's Blackadder – takes the central role.
For our money we also get Tracie Bennett as the maid Toinette and Imogen Stubbs as Beline along with a string of fine actors all of whom will help put the show on this year's international must-see list.
But of course Mr Bean's production, this time directed by Lindsay Posner, will not be to everyone's taste as was proved when it opened here at Bath's Theatre Royal.
The play's action is linked with tuneful songs about bodily functions which persuaded some people to get up and go while they had the chance while others were laughing uproariously.
In many ways it is a very traditional production but one can't help being left with the feeling that the current view is that you've got to do something to improve a 17th century play if you want people to go and see it in huge numbers. Never mind that it has survived quite happily for getting on for 400 years more or less as it is.
But you can't argue with the figures. Theatre Royal Bath Productions are hugely successful and Richard Bean currently cannot seem to put a foot wrong.
My guess is the punters will go for a 21st century Moliere with added lavatorial humour in a very big way.
The play runs in Bath until Saturday October 18.
Christopher Hansford
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