When Le Malade Imaginaire becomes a modern-day comedy
At the Théâtre de la Concorde, Molière gets a facelift. Le Malade Imaginaire changes pace, tone and, above all, flow.
A lively, urban rewrite
The staging moves away from classicism. It keeps the plot, but not the codes. Argan becomes a more nervous character. The original text rubs shoulders with today’s language. We hear punchlines, rhymes and accelerations. The play unfolds like a generational battle. Molière comes out revitalized.
A cast that shakes up expectations
On stage, the actors play with references. Some rap, others dance. All have fun with exaggeration. The pace is fast, the acting physical. Each character brings a different energy. The result is a hybrid of classical comedy and urban culture. The audience laughs, reacts and joins in.
Tempo-driven scenography
The decor is minimalist and graphic. It transforms with each scene. Projections accompany changes of pace. The lights mark the tensions. We move from a bourgeois salon to a concert hall in the blink of an eye. Music plays a central role. It sets the tone, the mood, the modernity.
A Molière for a new generation
The play does not betray the author. It extends him. Argan’s obsessions resonate with today’s audiences. The absurdity of care, the fear of dying, the false experts… Everything resonates. This adaptation speaks to a young, curious audience, not always familiar with Molière. It makes them want to return.
At the Théâtre de la Concorde, Le Malade Imaginaire changes flow, but retains all its verve. To discover other classics remixed in Paris, explore our selection on parisselectbook.com.
