Atlanta’s beloved French-speaking theatre, Théâtre du Rêve (Theatre of the Dream), is currently delighting audiences through Feb. 25 with Molière’s brilliant, bawdy satire “Le Malade Imaginaire.”
The show is directed by founding artistic director Carolyn Cook in her final production at Théâtre du Rêve. She is going to work with the Center for Puppetry Arts and you’ll see some puppets deployed in this production as a taster of what’s to come in her next adventure.
Fret not if you’re not fluent in French; there are supertitles on the wall above the actors’ heads.
In “Le Malade,” master Atlanta actor Chris Kayser plays Argan, a wealthy Parisian who has been seduced, so to speak, by a prestigious quack doctor. To save money (and guarantee continual medical attention), Argan plans to marry his daughter Angélique (Karine Dieuvil) to the doctor’s nephew.
However, she is already in love with another young man. Fortunately, Argan’s wily household servant Toinette (Eliana Marianes) is determined to straighten things out—but can she do it in time?
Other excellent cast members include Gaela Garaud Bellamy, Paris Benjamin, Sarah Bess Hester, and Wade Tilton.
Ms. Cook says in the program, “It always blows my mind that a play written 350 years ago can feel modern, relevant, and remarkably hilarious.” As an example, this farcical satire makes ample use of flatulence, particularly when dealing with Argan’s sitting down, rising, or just moving about. Mr. Kayser’s deadpan humor is flawless.
The theatre program tells us that in her final production, Ms. Cook plunges into puppetry inspired by Atlanta’s Center for Puppetry Arts. She deftly combines live action and puppets to bring the story to life. Puppeteers Sarah Beth Hester and Wade Tilton join her. By the way, Jennifer Schottstaedt’s costumes are glorious.
“Le Malade Imaginaire” is staged at the 7 Stages Black Box Theatre. Every seat is a good…
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