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A Performance Justification Paper

Introduction

Neoclassicism started to dominate theater in the 18th century. The philosophy of art and

life advocate for order, decorum and strict adherence to classical emphasize for balance and

simplicity (Eick). Neoclassical theater comprises of grandiosity with costumes and scenery being

intricate and elaborate. This essay outlines a modern neoclassic adaptation of a scene in ‘The

imaginary Invalid’ by Moliere. The scene chosen is between Argan and Toinette, when Toinette

dresses up as a doctor and tries to cure Argan’s hypochondriasis (Moliere 52-54). Various

adjustments with be affected to modernize the scene and make it consumable for a modern

audience.

Style of Acting and Stage

According to (Bratman 150) some aspects of modernizing a play include modification to

acting, the stage, casting and design. The scene will be present over the top and comedic acting

to support the acting practices of that time. In the article, (Albl-Mikasa 300) explains the

principles of neoclassical Théâtre where its believers used to act to teach and to entertain. The

interaction between Argan and the fake doctor will be laughable but also express the serious

issue of unqualified doctors assuming the medical role.

The performance stage will have a proscenium arch stage to create a window-like platform

around the scenery and performers. The choice for this stage is to ensure that the audience gets a
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good view from all sides and focuses on one direction only. similar to what Holloway (13)

elaborates the proscenium arch stage will also enhance the recreation of the 19 and 20th century

theatre and make the play feel right in its context for the audience. Verisimilitude will be used

and the scene will be within the conventions of neoclassical theatre since its contents do not

require or allow for any supernatural content.

Presentation of Themes

The modernization of the scene will incorporate concepts from the neoclassicism perspective.

the theme of power abuse and misuse is still relevant in today’s society. People in power, for

instance, doctors are often trusted when they should not. Not long ago, reports showed that

doctors received kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies if they prescribed certain amounts of

a particular drug that was produced by a pharmaceutical company. An article written by

Sorenson (2) presents a case of a doctor who prescribed a hormonal treatment for a child. The

results proved to be satisfactory and the doctor started treating more patient with the hormone.

Later, the doctor was approached by the pharmaceutical company that manufactured the drug.

The company offered him an exclusive agreement that he would prescribe a medication and

report to the company about its performance in the industry. The doctor agreed to the offer but

did not seek the patient’s consent. He was paid an amount of $1 million under the agreement

after treating about 200 children. The case was later presented in court and the doctor and

manufacturing company were found guilty for violating the Medicaid anti-kickback statute

which forbids any physician from receiving remuneration for prescribing or recommending

purchase of a drug.

The concept presented in the case is similar to the scene from the play. Even though this

doesn’t happen as much today, other things occur in the same domain but a little differently.
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Doctors get upgraded on flights and hotel rooms when going to conferences that are funded by

pharmaceutical companies, if they prescribe lots of a certain type of drug that the pharmaceutical

company produces. Despite all of this, we, as a society, put an enormous amount of trust into

doctors. The issue is still relevant today, where incompetent people are elevated to positions of

power. When enacting the scene, the team will be modernizing it and keep it comedic to ensure

that the audience can relate to the themes in their life or experiences. All physical exams that are

done on Argan will be done in a very exaggerated way and even inappropriate in order to

discredit doctors. This links to Toinette’s motivation of wanted to cure Argan’s hypochondriasis.

In terms of space, the stage will be as large as possible to make Argan’s living room look big

and create the impression of elegance because Argan was a rich man.

Costumes and Props.

It is important to ensure that a scene is presented in a manner that the audience can

understand and relate to (Barrientos 338). Attire and costumes to be used will be modern and so

will be all medical equipment to ensure that the audience understands the scene as a hospital

interaction between a patient and a quack medic. (Pressure monitor, stethoscope, white lab coat,

tongue depressors) Argan will be wearing a shirt, which is considered more ‘upper class’ these

days. A white coat will be worn by Toinette since it is the modern attire that introduces one as a

medical professional. The coat will enhance her presentation such that the audience will believe

that she is a legitimate authority and agree with Argan when he seek for the ‘doctor’s’ opinion.

Although, in Moliere’s time a medic’s attire would involve a black gown and a beak mask,

today’s audience won’t find it relatable at all the white coat will make the scene more ‘viewer

friendly’.
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At the start of the scene, Toinette will walk off, away from Argan in a black skirt and white

shirt, and be ‘off stage’ but in the audience’s view, she will change, by taking her skirt off and

having black trousers under there, and then put on a white coat and a mustache while the

audience observes her. The observation will prompt the audience to question her integrity and

professional conduct. She will then come in at the start of the scene as the doctor. Presentation of

such information helps the audience understand the melodrama better (Goldsby 169). The

activities will help the audience understand that Argan is not an intellectual person and that he is

quick to embrace authority blindly and worships people in power. The audience will find this

laughable yet seriously questionable since they know the truth and what is going on.

The team decided to start the scene off with proper medical tools in order to lure Argan in.

The whole point of this scene is to make him trust and feel safe with Toinette, as the doctor. He

thinks that Toinette is a man/doctor. After establishing a trusting relationship between the two,

Toinette will behave in highly questionable manner to make him question how legitimate doctors

are. At the end, the doctor will use a saw and try to poke his eye out with tongs. The action is

meant to contrast Toinette’s conduct now with earlier when she uses proper tools. A note pad

and pen will be used throughout the scene in order to make her appear as more ‘legit’. Also

shows that she cares and is taking his illness seriously.

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Works Cited

Albl-Mikasa, Michaela. "The imaginary invalid. Conference interpreters and English as a lingua

franca." International Journal of Applied Linguistics, vol. 24, no. 3, 2014, pp. 293-311.

Barrientos, Joaquín Á. "Neoclassical versus popular theatre." The Cambridge History of

Spanish Literature, pp. 333-342.

Bratman, Michael E. "Acting over Time, Acting Together." Institutions, Emotions, and Group

Agents, 2013, pp. 247-261.

Eick, J. "Theatre History; Neoclassical Theatre." Theatrical Education Group, Reading.

Goldsby, Robert W. "The Imaginary Invalid." Molière on Stage, pp. 167-178.

Holloway, John. "Properties of the Proscenium Theatre." Illustrated Theatre Production

Guide, 2010, pp. 9-16.

Moliere. The Imaginary Invalid. 10th ed., 1971, pp. 52-54.

Sorenson, Kristin. "Is it Legal for a Physician to Receive Payment for Prescribing a Drug?"

Virtual Mentor, vol. 5, no. 7, 2003, pp. 1-3.