The Hypochondriac
Image: Photo: Gemma Coward
Inspired by Benny Hill and the old Carry On movies from 60s and 70s, The Hypochondriac is a mix of music hall, burlesque and vaudeville. It’s very high camp and full of smutty humour that’s completely politically incorrect.
This world premiere Australian adaptation of Moliere’s 18th century French classic is more than just a translation; it uses the original as a springboard for something completely new. Award winning playwright Hilary Bell has given the play a completely contemporary slant, replacing old fashioned European sensibility with slang and modern-day references thus making it more lively, more a farce than a satire.
“It’s very lewd and silly with lots of scatological humour; poo, fart, bum, vomit, enemas, the humour is quite juvenile,” explained Bell.
Originally a cast of 15 that has been streamlined to seven, The Hypochondriac is set in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney in a nouveau riche family home. The main character Argan, played by Darren Gilshenan, is a middle-aged hypochondriac who thinks he is sick all the time and the action all takes place in his bedroom.
“There are moments of song and dance where his gigantic bed is turned into a stage with footlights and curtains. There is also a wannabe rock god who plays the guitar on stage, imagine the love child of Nick Cave and the Carry On matron,” Bell said.
The Hypochondriac deals with the unhealthy relationship between the pharmaceutical industry and society where they sell the story that everything can be cured with a pill. American pharmaceutical commercials are turned into Benny Hill style vaudeville numbers, with sexy nurses running around and patients chasing them with their bums showing.
“It’s good clean fun with a lot of innuendo and double entendre humour. You will be touched emotionally and enjoy an evening of riotous good fun,” Bell concluded.
Jun 14-Jul 1. Eternity Playhouse, 39 Burton Street, Darlinghurst. $38-$54+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.darlinghursttheatre.com
By Mel Somerville.
