The Imaginary Invalid (full-length version)

The Imaginary Invalid (full-length version) adapted by Timothy Mooney

(2)
Productions (28)
Comedy
|
105 - 135 minutes
4 W, 8 M, 6 Any (12-25 actors possible: 4-12 W, 1-19 M)
Content Notes: Some adult language
Set: A bedroom, including a bed, desk, and chair.

The hypochondriac Argan wants nothing more than to be sick, or at least to be thought of as sick, and tended to by Doctors and Family (notably his scheming wife). His desire for treatment outweighs his judgment, as he tries to set his daughter up to marry an idiot doctor-in-training. Only the brilliant collaboration of the maid, Toinette, with his brother, Beralde, can foil the wife, conquer the doctors, and satisfy Argan. This rhymed-verse adaptation of Moliere's classic comedy ends with a hilarious Latin-gibberish musical finale, which proclaims Argan as a doctor in his own right. (A short version of this play is also available.)

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $150

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

The hypochondriac Argan wants nothing more than to be sick, or at least to be thought of as sick, and tended to by Doctors and Family (notably his scheming wife). His desire for treatment outweighs his judgment, as he tries to set his daughter up to marry an idiot doctor-in-training. Only the brilliant collaboration of the maid, Toinette, with his brother, Beralde, can foil the wife, conquer the doctors, and satisfy Argan. This rhymed-verse adaptation of Moliere's classic comedy ends with a hilarious Latin-gibberish musical finale, which proclaims Argan as a doctor in his own right. (A short version of this play is also available.)

  • Comedy
  • |
  • 105 - 135 minutes
  • 4 W, 8 M, 6 Any (12-25 actors possible: 4-12 W, 1-19 M)
  • Content Notes: Some adult language
  • Set: A bedroom, including a bed, desk, and chair.

Published Reviews

"A witty adaptation of the classic Moliere comedy about a hypochondriac and his obsession with doctors -- in rhymed couplets, no less. ... Tim Mooney's new translation is funny and easy to follow..."

Cool Cleveland

"The main attraction, again, is the script, a witty, self-referential verse adaptation by Tim Mooney (who also directs) in idiomatic contemporary English."

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Production History

OCT 30, 2023 - NOV 01, 2023
Loreto Kirribilli
Sydney, NSW Australia
Loreto Kirribilli Sydney, NSW Australia
MAR 09, 2017 - MAR 11, 2017
Concordia High School
Concordia, KS United States
Concordia High School Concordia, KS United States
APR 28, 2016 - APR 30, 2016
First Presbyterian Day School
Macon, GA United States
First Presbyterian Day School Macon, GA United States
FEB 05, 2016 - FEB 13, 2016
Woodgrove High School
Purcelville, VA United States
Woodgrove High School Purcelville, VA United States
SEP 16, 2015 - SEP 20, 2015
Sacramento Theatre Company School Of The Arts
Sacramento, CA United States
Sacramento Theatre Company School Of The Arts Sacramento, CA United States
NOV 14, 2013 - NOV 16, 2013
East Central University
Ada, OK United States
East Central University Ada, OK United States
NOV 26, 2012 - DEC 01, 2012
Central Memorial High School
Calgary, AB Canada
Central Memorial High School Calgary, AB Canada
MAR 09, 2012 - MAR 10, 2012
North Side High School
Jackson, TN United States
North Side High School Jackson, TN United States
AUG 05, 2011 - AUG 05, 2011
Concordia College
HIGHGATE, SA Australia
Concordia College HIGHGATE, SA Australia
FEB 17, 2011 - FEB 19, 2011
Mandeville High School Auditorium
Mandeville, LA United States
Mandeville High School Auditorium Mandeville, LA United States
JAN 28, 2011 - JAN 30, 2011
Milwaukee Lutheran High School
Milwaukee, WI United States
Milwaukee Lutheran High School Milwaukee, WI United States
DEC 02, 2010 - DEC 05, 2010
Bishop DuBourg High School
St. Louis, MO United States
Bishop DuBourg High School St. Louis, MO United States
APR 22, 2010 - APR 24, 2010
Hickman High School
Columbia, MO United States
Hickman High School Columbia, MO United States
NOV 20, 2009 - NOV 22, 2009
Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School
Little Rock, AR United States
Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School Little Rock, AR United States
MAY 01, 2009 - MAY 02, 2009
Worcester Academy
Worcester, MA United States
Worcester Academy Worcester, MA United States
APR 25, 2008 - MAY 04, 2008
Department Of Theate | California State University, Northridge
Northridge, CA United States
Department Of Theate | California State University, Northridge Northridge, CA United States
NOV 01, 2007 - NOV 04, 2007
Bourgade Catholic High School
Phoenix, AZ United States
Bourgade Catholic High School Phoenix, AZ United States
MAY 25, 2007 - JUN 16, 2007
Pentacle Theatre
Salem, OR United States
Pentacle Theatre Salem, OR United States
APR 26, 2007 - APR 28, 2007
North Richland Middle School
Fort Worth, TX United States
North Richland Middle School Fort Worth, TX United States
APR 01, 2005 - APR 30, 2005
Suffolk County Community College
Long Island, NY United States
Suffolk County Community College Long Island, NY United States
JAN 01, 2005 - DEC 31, 2005
The Beck Center
Lakewood, OH United States
The Beck Center Lakewood, OH United States
JAN 01, 2004 - DEC 31, 2004
University of Ohio-Lima
Lima, OH United States
University of Ohio-Lima Lima, OH United States
JAN 01, 2003 - DEC 31, 2003
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI United States
Wayne State University Detroit, MI United States
JAN 01, 2003 - DEC 31, 2003
University of Nebraska-Kearney
Kearney, NE United States
University of Nebraska-Kearney Kearney, NE United States
JAN 01, 2003 - DEC 31, 2003
The Gilbert School
Winsted, CT United States
The Gilbert School Winsted, CT United States
JAN 01, 2002 - DEC 31, 2002
University of Michigan-Flint
Flint, MI United States
University of Michigan-Flint Flint, MI United States
JAN 01, 1999 - DEC 31, 1999
Columbus State Community College
Columbus, OH United States
Columbus State Community College Columbus, OH United States
JAN 01, 1998 - DEC 31, 1999
Stage Two Theatre
Highwood, IL United States
Stage Two Theatre Highwood, IL United States
No upcoming productions.
JAN 01, 2005 - DEC 31, 2005
The Beck Center
Lakewood, OH United States
The Beck Center Lakewood, OH United States