Review: The Imaginary Invalid

What: The Imaginary Invalid, directed by Michael Switzer. The Hamilton Performing Arts Trust.
Where: Medici Court, Hamilton Gardens.
When: Last night.
Reviewed by: BEN STANLEY.

Whoever thought an enema could be so funny? In the beautiful intimate setting of the Hamilton Gardens' Medici Court, the Hamilton Performing Arts Trust's performance The Imaginary Invalid treats audience to a real taste of 17th century French comedy.

The play is one of famed French playwright Moliere's greats, and it's easy to see why.

It sees Argan (veteran Hamilton actor Brian Bevege), a hypochondriac and fool, complaining of various ailments while attempting to find a husband for his young daughter Angelique (Kristen Romano).

Little does he know that Angelique has eyes for only one, her singing teacher, the dashing Cleante (Richard Homan), even though her father has accepted his doctor's son Thomas' (Michael Forde's) proposal instead.

Argan's scheming and tempestuous wife Beline (Alice Kimber-Bell) provides another element, while his maid Toinette (Sarah Bettle) tries to keep control of it all.

A highlight for me was Michael Forde and his long-winded introductions to Angelique and Beline, though most audience members would agree that the most eye-catching performance was by Alice Kimber-Bell, who had most male audience members regularly bitting their bottom lips.

The real star turn was Sarah Bettle as Toinette. She provided the performance with a dependable humour and wit throughout, and always had a real energy when taking the floor.

Director Michael Switzer and his nine-person cast does a fine job of bringing Moliere's classic to the stage, and though it was far from polished last night, The Imaginary Invalid has the ability to become one of the festival's highlights.

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