The Imaginary Invalid (Der eingebildete Kranke)

We’re going to die! There: Now it’s been said. Although most of us are able to suppress thoughts of our own mortality most of the time, a global virus certainly does the trick in terms of bringing even the most gifted denier of death back down to earth. On the other hand, isn’t it the case that the gods envy our mortality? Argan, the imaginary invalid in this production, is one of those who refuses to accept his mortality. He feels that he’s been left alone with his fear of death, and he has decided to pin his hopes on the supposed positive effects of enemas and blood-letting. Still, we can be encouraged by the fact that as long as we continue to fear death, we know that we’re still alive. “The Imaginary Invalid” was performed for the first time in 1673, and in a macabre twist of fate, Molière, who played the invalid himself, suffered severe internal bleeding during the fourth performance and died while still in his costume.

Our musical version of this great comedy (our “inclusical”) offers a bizarre and preposterous depiction of luminous love and laughing death in the form of a pop opera.

Produced with the support of the Capital Cultural Fund and funding from the City of Berlin, Senate Administration for Culture and Europe. 

„Beleuchtet in kräftigen Farben und mit Videofilmen als Rundumprojektion, die sowohl entfernte Vogelschwärme als auch nahe gerückte Viruslasten sein können, bringt das putzmuntere Ensemble dieses Spiel vom Leben und Sterben, von Existenzangst und Todesfurcht in beherzt choreografierte und lustvoll genossene Beschleunigung.“ Irene Bazinger, MOZ