"The Imaginary Invalid" - from Phoenix 68 [published November 1968]

What began as a light-hearted end-of-term diversion in which the school could see the Staff bravely make fools of themselves on the stage developed into a full-scale production of “The Imaginary Invalid”. The stage crew, the production team, the electricians and costumiers all moved into top gear, and expertise and professionalism raised the standard of the play to the point where it was suitable for a public performance.

Every teacher must have something of the actor in him; before this production we did not know how much, but we are quite sure now that it is considerable.

An audience that laughed immoderately and wiped its eyes and cheered was not only appreciative of the play and its individual actors; it rejoiced to see some of its well-known teachers in very different roles. Who, for instance, could ever have imagined Miss Snow (Toinette) a terror with a feather duster, an eavesdropper, an adept in duplicity? Who knew that Mr. Grant (Cleante) could sing, could play the piano so well? (with the assistance of the electronics department). Mr. Cherry (Doctor Purgon) we knew to be an adept in the treatment of Cuts and sprains, but we did not realise that he could so easily assume the bluff, omniscient, authority of a fully qualified medico, complete with panacea (held in a syringe two feet long) by a ruthless Michael Dodd (Mr. Fleurant). We welcomed the coiffure of Beline (Miss Woodall), the learned wisdom of Doctor Diaforus (Dr. Muir) and his vacant son, Thomas (Mr. Arm), the avuncular wisdom of Mr. Beralde (Mr. Behmber, who seemed rather afflicted with deafness at times), the vitality brought to the play by all performers; we were enchanted by the lighting and the dancing in the dance-scene, the skilfully contrived entrances, the fun and jollity of this sparkling performance.

And, while we appreciated the worth of all these performers, we realised the immense efforts of the production team and ancilliaries.

Above all, what a performance by Mr. Adams as Argan, an old hypochondriac’. Here, indeed, was memorable excellence. Seldom away from the centre of attraction, he never faltered in word or gesture. It would be unfair to no-one to say that he carried the play, convulsed his audience, and convinced them. One member of the audience was heard to say that she did not realise that we had such an old man on the Staff!

Well done, Mr. Argan! Well done!

R. E-J.