THE DOCTOR DESPITE HIMSELF

In a co-production with
ELECTRIC LODGE and
FILMLAND INTERNATIONAL
presents
 
A World Premiere Translation and Adaptation of one of
Moliere’s funniest plays:
 
THE DOCTOR DESPITE HIMSELF
Directed by
GULU MONTEIRO
 
The Doctor Despite Himself is a one-act farcical attack on the medical profession. Doctors were Moliere’s favorite target. In his time, medication was more fatal to patients than their illness. Today, with modern medicine, things are not that different. Prescriptions drugs are one of the leading cause of death in America. If Moliere was living in the US today, his opinion about most medical professionals probably wouldn’t have changed much.
This new staging by the director Gulu Monteiro will feature 5 actors playing 11 roles and incorporating a theatrical style inspired by the Buffoons. In the Middle Ages Buffoons were sometimes the only ones bold enough to make critical comments about the condition of the kingdom, because anything he said was by definition "a jest" and by making people laugh he could speak frankly about controversial issues.
Without sets, the staging will be centered in the actor’s work and following the Buffoons’ tradition, the actors will have Moliere’s plot as a base with freedom to improvise and create scenes and seek a close complicity with the audience. Outstanding costume designer, Swinda Reichelt, will dress these jesters in daring futuristico-medieval costumes in colorful geometrical shapes.
Like the Buffoons, the troupe appreciates the value in making people think about serious issues through jest, but is mostly concerned with giving the audience the miraculous medicine that everybody needs: Laughter!
Where
Electric Lodge
1416 Electric Ave
Venice, CA 90291
When
Oct. 2nd through Nov. 8th
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays at 2pm and 7pm