The Hypochondriac and Other Plays

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Includes the plays The Hypochondriac, George Dandin and Scapin Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, dit Molire (1622-1673) was originally intended for a career at court. His legal training was to stand him in good stead as his plays often aroused the anger and hatred of many prominent social groups including the medical profession and the clergy. Molire was continually surrounded by controversy and his works were often banned. This volume contains new versions of Molires plays by distinguished translators Ranjit Bolt and Gerard Murphy. The Hypochondriac was Molires last play. He himself took the title role in the first production on the fourth performance was seized by a coughing fit and died, ending a brilliant yet turbulent career thathad lasted for over thirty years. With a foreword by Nicholas Dromgoole.

Author Bio

Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Moliere (1622-73), the French actor-manager and dramatist, was one of the theatre's greatest comic classics. Inspired by traditions of French farce and the 'commedia dell'arte', he courted controversy with his satiric commentaries on the society of his time and on eternal human foibles, but was saved by the patronage of the 'Sun King' Louis XIV. Born in Manchester in 1959, Ranjit Bolt was educated at Perse School and at Balliol College, Oxford. He worked as an investment analyst and advisor for eight years, before concentrating on theatre translation from the end of 1990. Ranjit Bolt's acclaimed translations for the theatre, many of which are published by Oberon Books, include works by Moliere, Seneca, Sophocles, Corneille, Beaumarchais, Brecht, Goldoni and Zorilla.