Moliere’s classic farce dates from the seventeenth century, and though the comedy is ageless, the concept of updating it to the birth of the NHS is a little crowbarred in. Argan, the Hypochondriac, has arranged for his daughter Angelique to marry the son of a doctor. Of course, she wishes to marry someone else. Throw in a second wife trying to disinherit Argan’s children, and we are off and running with a farce that romps nonstop.

Logan McKerron is a camp Argan, equal parts self-aggrandising and self-pitying – but fabulous in his big dance number, proving him as much hypocrite as hypochondriac. At the heart of the production Jess Donnelly, as Argan’s maid Toinette, gives a gem of a performance. She combines insouciance, snark and low cunning as she outwits everyone of higher class around her. However, the age-blind casting has led to a uniformity of youthful energy, which means less emphasis on the inter-generational dynamics and  much less gravitas for the comedy to puncture.

Ross Gillan has done a reasonable job with the adaptation, mostly witty and light on its feet. But there are occasional clunky moments, and it needs more work in both script and production design if the NHS theme is to be properly integrated. The retention of musical interludes as per the original is welcome, and a comically terrible duet between lovers Cleante and Angelique manages to be very sweet.

If you’re in the mood for some good silly fun, there is much to be enjoyed in this high-speed romp through The Hypochondriac.