The Imaginary Invalid

The Imaginary Invalid was written by John Baptiste Moliere (This was actually the last play Moliere wrote) This comedy is about a hypochondriac who is trying to marry his daughter, Angelique, to a doctor. He figures if his daughter marries a doctor, he will be taken care of any time one of his health issues flair up. Conflict arises as Angelique tells her father that she is secretly in love with Cleante. Her father gives her two choices, she will either marry the doctor he has selected for her or she is going to be sent to a convent. "Antics ensue as various characters attempt to influence the fathers decision." Despite all of the drama, this story has a happy ending. Angelique and Cleante end up together and the father becomes his own weird kind of doctor.

Professor Nickolas Dixon did a fantastic job directing, choreographing, and designing the costumes and makeup for this play. The story line was very humorous and was quite entertaining...it kept your attention throughout the entire play. The world that was painted by the characters, outfits , and set was very off the wall, flamboyant, exotic, and fantasy like. It made me feel as though I was in a movie like Big Fish. It truly was an "imaginary" world. The stage was set up as the outside of a big house. It was closed originally but as the opening scene ended they opened it up to show the inside of the house...this is where most of the show took place.

Going into this, I was not sure what to expect, all I knew was that it was a play at Southeastern University that I was required to attend. I am glad I saw this. It was funny, entertaining and definitely worth the $5 it cost to see it.