Theatre Review: The Imaginary Invalid

Director: DR Ananda Lal
Cast: Sayon, Mayurakshi, Sourya, Adrija, Dipabali
Duration: 135 mins
Rating: 3
The protagonist in this JUDE production is someone who utters, “Doctor how many grains of salt should I put on my egg?” Yes, he’s The Imaginary Invalid in Moliere’s three-act comedy by the same name. With some assistance from a sound musical team, a group of graceful dancers and talented actors, director Dr Ananda Lal pays homage to two of the finest French men of all times — Moliere and Marc-Antonie Charpentier — in this play.
A rather powerful soloist, Shreya Paul, ushers you into the narrative as the curtains go up on a domestic set-up in French colonial Chandernagore. Although there’s nothing extraordinary in terms of stage design, there are just enough props to support the plot. The costumes, designed by Adrija Ghosh, however, tell a story unto themselves — the drape of the sari, the length and design of the blouse sleeves, the clickety heels, the dhoti and even the plaid housecoat add to the ‘periodic’ hue of the drama.
Moliere’s play essentially being a comedie-ballet, the production demanded some able musicians and Bhawana Theeng Tamang, with a few other cast members, fulfils the role decently. It is, however, the choreography and direction of the songs by Anondita Sengupta that lends freshness to the production. The presentation of the track, Gather rosebuds while you may/ Youth must decay/ The time for love is now, is a colourful ode to the premise of Carpe diem. Timothy Mooney’s rhymed couplets only contribute to the smartly humorous production.
In terms of performances, Mayurakshi Sen anchors the play from the moment she sets foot on the stage. Her portrayal of Locket — the maid-servant — is not just comical, but also graceful. Sayon Banerjee, Adrija Ghosh and Sourya Majumder also expand their range as actors with this production. Dr Abhijit Gupta’s cameo, however, is the highlight of the production. He brings in the much-needed dynamism into Moliere’s piece as he candidly and confidently presides over the climax as the president of convocation.
Although the production is a tad too long in terms of duration, for attempting to stage the apparently but comically ‘cursed’ piece by Moliere, we say, “Tres bien!”