Discussion Board - South London Theatre
Generated: 18 June, 2017, 01:52
The Hypochondriac - Auditions this week!
Posted by Naomi - 04 Nov 2012 22:57
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Do you like scathing French 17th century comedies satirising the medical profession, especially if they
include ridiculous rhymes, groanworthy puns, and fart jokes?
Then come and audition for The Hypochondriac, an updated version of Moliere's last play, adapted by
Roger McGough.
Audition pieces now available by email (naomiliddle[at]hotmail[dot]com), and hard copies in the bar from
Tuesday 6th November.
Auditions:
Monday 26th November, Wednesday 28th November & Sunday 2nd December, 8pm
Cast breakdown - playing ages are a rough guide:
ARGAN (M, 45+)
Argan is a wealthy gentleman with nothing really wrong with him, but he is obsessed with employing
quack doctors to ply their expensive remedies on him.
BELINE (F, 35+)
Béline is Argan’s second wife – scheming and witty, secretly she can’t wait for him to finally get on with
dying so she can have his money.
1/6
Discussion Board - South London Theatre
Generated: 18 June, 2017, 01:52
ANGELIQUE (F, 20s)
Angéique is their only child – a slightly dippy but harmless maiden, currently hopelessly in love with
Cléante.
TOINETTE (F, 20s/30s)
Toinette is probably the cleverest of them all. The household maid, her wit and brazen behaviour often
sail right over the heads of her employers.
BERALDE (M, 30+)
Béralde is Argan’s brother. He holds no truck with doctors, and joins with Toinette in her efforts to cure
Argan of his hypochondria.
CLEANTE (M, 20s)
A young man of limited means, in love with Angélique, whom he met when he chivalrously rescued her
from some sort of unspecified altercation at a theatre.
DIAFOIRUS (M, convincingly old enough to be father to Thomas)
An old-school doctor, high up in his profession and father to the wimpy Thomas Diafoirus, who he wants
to marry off to Angélique.
THOMAS DIAFOIRUS (M, 20s)
Son to Diafoirus and nephew to Doctor Purgeon, Thomas stands to inherit from both. Having just
passed his medical exams himself, this makes him an irresistible prospect as a son-in-law for Argan.
Shame, then, that he has the backbone, intelligence, and romantic appeal of a jellyfish.
DOCTOR PURGEON (M/F, any age, can be cross cast)
The pompous Doctor Purgeon is Argan’s personal physician. His methods consist chiefly of prescribing
ever more ridiculous enemas and dietary restrictions, whilst billing Argan through the nose for the
priviledge. Only appears once - can be cross-cast.
BONNEFOI & FLEURANT (M/F, any age, can be cross cast)
2/6
Discussion Board - South London Theatre
Generated: 18 June, 2017, 01:52
A notary and an apothecary/enema expert respectively, these two characters will likely be double-cast,
as they appear rather briefly. Note: There is no specific audition piece for these characters. Those
auditioning specifically for small roles will work with the audition pieces from the other characters, as it is
the comic timing and use of the text I am interested in, rather than a perfect grasp of character.
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Re: The Hypochondriac - Auditions this week!
Posted by Naomi - 26 Nov 2012 13:40
_____________________________________
Um. I feel a bit like I'm monopolising SLT at the moment - blame Theatre Committee's scheduling, not
me ;)
While part of me is still in Leenane, I'm going to have at least one foot planted firmly in 17th century
Paris this week as auditions kick off tonight for The Hypochondriac.
It's going to be a lot of fun even though there's not a skull, mallet or a drop of fake blood in sight....
Post by Naomi
Do you like scathing French 17th century comedies satirising the medical profession, especially if they
include ridiculous rhymes, groanworthy puns, and fart jokes?
Then come and audition for The Hypochondriac, an updated version of Moliere's last play, adapted by
Roger McGough.
3/6
Discussion Board - South London Theatre
Generated: 18 June, 2017, 01:52
Audition pieces now available by email (naomiliddle[at]hotmail[dot]com), and hard copies in the bar from
Tuesday 6th November.
Auditions:
Monday 26th November, Wednesday 28th November & Sunday 2nd December, 8pm
Cast breakdown - playing ages are a rough guide:
ARGAN (M, 45+)
Argan is a wealthy gentleman with nothing really wrong with him, but he is obsessed with employing
quack doctors to ply their expensive remedies on him.
BELINE (F, 35+)
Béline is Argan’s second wife – scheming and witty, secretly she can’t wait for him to finally get on with
dying so she can have his money.
ANGELIQUE (F, 20s)
Angéique is their only child – a slightly dippy but harmless maiden, currently hopelessly in love with
Cléante.
TOINETTE (F, 20s/30s)
Toinette is probably the cleverest of them all. The household maid, her wit and brazen behaviour often
sail right over the heads of her employers.
BERALDE (M, 30+)
Béralde is Argan’s brother. He holds no truck with doctors, and joins with Toinette in her efforts to cure
4/6
Discussion Board - South London Theatre
Generated: 18 June, 2017, 01:52
Argan of his hypochondria.
CLEANTE (M, 20s)
A young man of limited means, in love with Angélique, whom he met when he chivalrously rescued her
from some sort of unspecified altercation at a theatre.
DIAFOIRUS (M, convincingly old enough to be father to Thomas)
An old-school doctor, high up in his profession and father to the wimpy Thomas Diafoirus, who he wants
to marry off to Angélique.
THOMAS DIAFOIRUS (M, 20s)
Son to Diafoirus and nephew to Doctor Purgeon, Thomas stands to inherit from both. Having just
passed his medical exams himself, this makes him an irresistible prospect as a son-in-law for Argan.
Shame, then, that he has the backbone, intelligence, and romantic appeal of a jellyfish.
DOCTOR PURGEON (M/F, any age, can be cross cast)
The pompous Doctor Purgeon is Argan’s personal physician. His methods consist chiefly of prescribing
ever more ridiculous enemas and dietary restrictions, whilst billing Argan through the nose for the
priviledge. Only appears once - can be cross-cast.
BONNEFOI & FLEURANT (M/F, any age, can be cross cast)
A notary and an apothecary/enema expert respectively, these two characters will likely be double-cast,
as they appear rather briefly. Note: There is no specific audition piece for these characters. Those
auditioning specifically for small roles will work with the audition pieces from the other characters, as it is
the comic timing and use of the text I am interested in, rather than a perfect grasp of character.
============================================================================
5/6
Discussion Board - South London Theatre
Generated: 18 June, 2017, 01:52
Re: The Hypochondriac - Auditions this week!
Posted by Tigermouse - 27 Nov 2012 14:32
_____________________________________
Went to yesterday's audition....ended up giggling a lot! This very, very funny.
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Re: The Hypochondriac - Auditions this week!
Posted by Naomi - 29 Nov 2012 10:59
_____________________________________
First two auditions have been great fun - as Caroline (Tigermouse) says it really is a very gigglesome
and silly play. None of your stuffy French nonsense in this version ;)
One more chance on Sunday - roll up, roll up!
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6/6