The Imgainary Invalid

I attended Southeastern's production of The Imaginary Invalid and watched the entire play.

The Imaginary invalid is the story of a man by the name of Argan, who pretty much spent most of his time trying to convince people that he was sick (hypochondriac). He was not the most pleasant individual to be around because it seemed like it was either his way or the highway. He had this sassy maid, named Toinette who had to put up with being called almost every name in the book by him. Argan also had a gold-digger (a woman only with him for his money) for a wife , Beline, who would be the sole heiress to his estate if he died.

Argan decides to arrange a marriage for his daughter, Angelique, to a doctor, Thomas Diafoirus, so that he may acquire all of his medical necessities at no charge. He was not aware, nor concerned, that the daughter had a love interest, Cleante, of her own and was in no way shape for or fashion interested in marrying another. When Angelique found out she was devastated, but her father (the loving man that he is **sarcasm**)told her that she would either marry or be confined to a convent. How can I describe Thomas? He was a rather interesting character. He seemed like the only way he became a doctor because he knew someone, who knew someone, who knew someone else that would confer him as a doctor. She and Toinette devised a plan to trick her father into allowing her to marry who she wanted to marry.

In the end though Argan's brother, Beralde, and Toinette convince Argan to let Angelique marry Cleante, by letting Beline's and Angeliques's true feeling be known by Argan pretending he was dead) and later convincing him to become a doctor so he could treat himself.

Though this play had its hilarious parts, sadly enough - in some areas this is all too real. In alot of countries women are forced into marriages that they do not desire for the sake of the family. They stay in the marriages and bear children because due to customs, and culture, they are obligated to stay with their spouse whether they love them or not. With children borne of this loveless, they miss being raised on mutual love (love between the parents). They are raised on the initial principles of the relationship (which really had nothing to do with love at all).
Another reality is that there are relationships today, where a parent meets and marries someone new and they care more about the new spouse than the feelings of the children, whose opinion becomes null and void because mommy or daddy has a new husband or wife.

There are also situations today where people marry for money and money alone, no love or common interests. These types of unions rarely last because there is nothing really holding them together. Excessive money without clear vision in a relationship can be the root of all evil. This leads to people staying together because of the age old adage “It’s cheaper to keep her (him)”, even though is most cases extra martial relationships are present. You see it plastered across the news all the time.

There was also alot of manipulation in the parts of many in this play, even on the parts of those who were just trying to get the situation to come out for the better. All that manipulation had it played out in real life would have just continued to wreak havoc over their lives. It is always good to remember.. if it is begotten with lies you have to lie to keep it.

All in all it was a great production. This was my first time attending an SEU production and it will not be my last. They are truly gifted and talented to do what they are doing.