LE MÉDÈCIN MALGRÉ LUI (The Doctor in Spite of Himself) [Dramatic Revival/French Language] A: Molière; D: Jean-Louis Thamin; S/C: Francoise Darne; P: Le Tréteau de Paris i/a/w Le Jeune Théâtre National; T: American Place Theatre (OB); 4/16/73-4/21/73 (8)
Note: no photos are available for this production.
Molière’s The Doctor in Spite of Himself was here revived in its original
language by a touring French troupe of young players, Le Jeune Théâtre
National. To fill out the evening because of the play’s brevity, selected
scenes from The Misanthrope and Don Juan were offered.
Le
Médècin was ably enacted for all its well-known farcical values. Its tale
of the servant Sganarelle (Yves Pignot) playing the role of a doctor so as to
cure what turns out to be a pretended case of muteness was highly diverting in
this traditional interpretation.
Clive Barnes reported that Pignot,
“with a face like a moon-calf and an Indiarubber body,” was excellent as the
comic servant/doctor in a production that hit “ao neat balance between rustic
slapstick and Moliere’s more sophisticated comedy of manners.” Edith Oliver
concurred, calling the production “perfect” for those who like their “comedy
deft, sharp, and low.”
Molière’s comedy had only one earlier
New York staging of record, Off Broadway during the 1956-1957 season.