Molière's The Imaginary Invalid

A production by the Comédie-Française
Molière's The Imaginary Invalid - Comédie-Française - Theatre in Paris - Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin
Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin

From 27/05 to 12/07/2026

French surtitled in English
Molière's The Imaginary Invalid - Comédie-Française - Theatre in Paris - Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin
Molière's The Imaginary Invalid

Tickets available soon

Location

Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin
18 Boulevard Saint-Martin, 75010 Paris
Capacity 1020 seats

Duration

2 h 10 min

No intermission


Details

Classic Theatre

For all audiences

In French with surtitles in English, French, and French Sign Language (LSF)


This show is surtitled in English with smart glasses!

Thanks to the “panthea.live” system provided by our sister company Panthea, smart glasses for surtitling are available for The Imaginary Invalid! While the performance is in French, it is entirely accessible to non-French speakers and hearing-impaired audience members as the smart glasses allow viewers to experience the show with surtitles in English, French, and French Sign Language (LSF). This highly innovative technology is available exclusively by Panthea and Theatre in Paris.

Highlights: The Imaginary Invalid

Here is excellent news for all lovers of Molière: The Imaginary Invalid will be presented at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint‑Martin as part of the Comédie‑Française’s “Hors les murs” (Beyond the Walls) season, during the renovations of the Salle Richelieu.
For this second part of the season, “Beyond the Walls”, the troupe takes to some of Paris’ most iconic theatres, offering the audience exceptional and unprecedented performances. A rare opportunity to (re)discover great classics in unique and prestigious settings, extending the theatrical experience beyond its usual walls.

 

The author’s final play regains all its brilliance here thanks to a lively, delightful and perfectly paced staging that reveals the irresistible comic mechanism of this satire of medicine… and of incurable hypochondriacs.

 

At the centre of this whirlwind, the actors of the Troupe shine with contagious energy. Guillaume Gallienne, irresistible in a role where bad faith rivals fragility, portrays an Argan of jubilant finesse: whiny just enough, deliciously manipulative, yet ultimately deeply moving. Alongside him, a razor-sharp cast gives each character a wonderfully vivid presence, from the sparkling Toinette to the tender Angélique, not to mention the delightfully eccentric doctors.

 

The staging plays skilfully on contrasts: elegant yet mischievous sets, precise movements, visual humour and lines delivered with dazzling modernity. We laugh, we mock, we recognise ourselves at times… and above all, we relish every moment.
A lively, brilliant, irresistible production — and a wonderful chance to see the Troupe performing beyond its own walls. Not to be missed!

 

Cast and Crew

  • Staging/Direction: Claude Stratz
  • Set Design and Costumes: Ezio Toffolutti
  • Lighting: Jean-Philippe Roy
  • Original Music: Marc-Olivier Dupin
  • Choreography: Sophie Mayer
  • Makeup, Wigs, and Prosthetics: Kuno Schlegelmilch
  • The Cast: Alain Lenglet, Denis Podalydès, Coraly Zahonero, Guillaume Gallienne, Julie Sicard, Clément Bresson, Léa Lopez

Story: The Imaginary Invalid

The Imaginary Invalid tells the misadventures of Argan, a wealthy bourgeois convinced he is seriously ill. Obsessed with doctors and remedies, he allows himself to be manipulated by those around him, far more interested in his money than in his health.

 

To secure his future, Argan wishes to marry his daughter Angélique to a young doctor she does not love, for she is in love with Cléante. His servant Toinette, full of common sense and mischief, tries to thwart these absurd schemes.

 

Meanwhile, Argan’s second wife, Béline, plots to inherit his entire fortune.

Thanks to a clever ruse devised by Toinette and Argan’s brother, the truth comes to light: Béline is unmasked, love triumphs, and Argan ends up agreeing to become… a doctor himself!

Reviews

There are not yet any reviews for this show, be the very first to share a review by completing the following:


Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin

18 Boulevard Saint-Martin, 75010 Paris

History and Fun Facts about the Porte Saint-Martin’s Theatre

 

The Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin, a landmark building in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, has a rich theatrical history, marked by memorable plays that have enchanted audiences down the centuries. Since its inauguration in 1781, this theatre has been home to a host of famous actors, including the voice of the famous Sarah Bernhardt.

 

Classical plays such as Beaumarchais's The Marriage of Figaro have captivated audiences, establishing the theatre as part of the French theatrical tradition. Masterpieces by Victor Hugo, including Hernani and Ruy Blas, have also graced its stages, testifying to the importance of the Porte Saint-Martin in the spread of Romanticism in the 19th century.

 

The theatre has evolved with the times, hosting contemporary productions that have left their mark. Works by Marcel Pagnol, such as Marius and Fanny, have found an ideal setting for their performance here, adding a modern dimension to the venue's classical heritage. The Porte Saint-Martin has also been the setting for major events, such as the first performance of Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac in 1897, a play that has become emblematic of the French repertoire.

 

The Porte Saint-Martin has also been the scene of major events, such as the first performance of Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac in 1897, a play that has become emblematic of the French repertoire.

 

Today, this venue steeped in history continues to host a diverse programme, providing a stage for contemporary plays while preserving the legacy of the great classics. The Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin remains a cultural institution where past and present are inextricably linked.

 

Fast facts
Capacity: 1020
Handicap Accessible: Yes, please send us an email to the following address: hello@theatreinparis.com at the time of booking so that the theatre can welcome you in the best possible conditions.
Air conditioning: No
Heating: Yes
Coat Check: No

Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin
Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin
Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin
Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin
plan de salle seating chart Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin

FAQ

How do I get to Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin in the 10th arrondissement of Paris?

The Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin is accessible by:
Metro: Line 3 (station République), line 4 (station Strasbourg Saint-Denis), line 5 (station République), line 8 (station Strasbourg Saint-Denis and République), line 9 (station Strasbourg Saint-Denis and République), line 11 (station République)
Address: 18 boulevard Saint-Martin, 75010 Paris
In case of difficulty, our hotline can be reached during our business hours. Please see the footer of this page for our contact details.

What do I do when I get to the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin?

As part of the Vigipirate Plan, we would like to inform you that personal belongings will be systematically checked. We therefore ask you to arrive at Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin as early as possible to avoid any inconvenience caused by late arrival and the checking of your items.

We recommend that you arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of The Imaginary Invalid. Show your ticket at reception and the staff of Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin will take care of you.

How long does the theatre piece, The Imaginary Invalid, last?

The theatre piece The Imaginary Invalid at Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin lasts approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, with no intermission.

Is The Imaginary Invalid for an international audience or French speakers?

For both! Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin welcomes audiences from all over the world. The play The Imaginary Invalid is performed in French with surtitles in English, French and French Sign Language. Smart, connected glasses are used to view the surtitles. This technology was developed by Panthea and Theatre in Paris!

Is The Imaginary Invalid accessible to all audiences?

The depth of the themes explored and the richness of the language in this play calls for a mature audience to fully appreciate all the subtleties and implications.

What are smart glasses and how will I be able to see the surtitles*?

Thanks to the Comédie-Française’s season “Beyond the Walls”, Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin has teamed up with Theatre in Paris' sister company, Panthea, to provide smart glasses for surtitling! A visionary breakthrough!
How do smart glasses for surtitling work? These smart glasses include a new technology developed by Panthea that enables surtitles to be shown in an individual spectator’s view, within the glasses, during a live performance. In addition to the surtitles, these Augmented Reality glasses can also be connected to a headset for Audio Description as well as display a video with sign language depending on the show. These features not only make performances accessible to a wider audience but also allow for audience members to have a personalized experience in a way that suits them best.

 

The theatre piece The Imaginary Invalid will be performed in French with surtitles in English, French and French Sign Language via Panthea’s smart glasses.
*Surtitles (also called supertitles) are the theatre equivalent of subtitles. Funfact: In French “sur” means “above”.

Can I choose my seat when booking?

When purchasing tickets for The Imaginary Invalid, choose your preferred category and you will be allocated the best available seats in that category!
Please note that tickets of the same category that are booked during the same purchase session, in the same booking order on our website are always assigned side by side. To be sure of this, make sure all of your tickets are in the same category and are included in your shopping cart at the time of purchase.
If there are no available adjacent seating arrangements, our customer service team will contact you before the booking is confirmed.

 

You can find the seating plan in the theatre’s "photo" section on this page.

Is there a dress code at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin?

There is no specific dress code at Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin, but proper attire is appreciated. Many Parisians will arrive directly from work, dressed in business casual or chic attire.

Is there a bar or restaurant at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin?

The theatre has a bar that offers a wide choice of wines and local produce (charcuterie, cheeses, terrines…). All fresh and tasty, prepared by French artisans.

How far in advance should I book my tickets for Le Malade imaginaire ?

Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin plays are always in great demand. We therefore recommend that you book tickets in advance rather than waiting, as dates tend to fill up very quickly.

Is Theatre in Paris an official reseller?

Yes. Theatre in Paris is one of the few official partners of the Comédie-Française and is also a sister company of Panthea, the company that provides the smart surtitling glasses for the theatre.
Theatre in Paris provides multilingual customer service, including English and French, and a variety of offers: show-only tickets as well as tickets with smart surtitling glasses (at no extra cost). And sometimes, we even have tickets available when the show is sold out everywhere else!