“The Doctor in Spite of Himself”

“The Doctor in Spite of Himself,” the UNC Wilmington Department of Theatre’s first production of the 2014-2015 season, held its opening night on Sept. 25 on the Mainstage Theatre of the Cultural Arts Building.

The show was directed by Anne Berkeley, a UNCW associate professor.

“I was extremely excited to direct this 348-year-old classic that’s still wide open for new stagings and interpretations,” Berkeley said. “Furthermore, it is partly a satire about the medical profession and is still relevant today.”

Berkeley put many of her own twists on UNCW’s production of Molière’s classic play. With the use of elaborately colored costumes, Converse as the footwear for each character, music from the twentieth century, and uniquely decorative scenery, the show appeared fun and colorful for the whole audience.

“Molière was greatly influenced by the commedia d’ell arte, a theatrical form of the Renaissance, which emphasized farcical physical comedy that included slapstick, pratfalls, visual gags and comic shtick,” Berkeley said. “I decided to direct the play as a physical comedy, which only secondarily includes a satirical [element]. I also decided to use a new and yet incomplete translation, which captures the spirit of Molière’s text but has a contemporary spin on the language.”

Berkeley’s modern spin and her emphasis on physical comedy had an apparent effect on the audience.

“I think that the creative director’s choices were bold and daring,” UNCW student and audience member, Caitie Wright said. “I think the audience’s response of thunderous laughter and applause confirms that the risks that the creative director took paid off.”

The show was entertaining for everyone; there was nonstop laughter throughout the entire evening.

“The show was much different than what I had expected in regard to the style in which it was presented,” Wright said. “Having read the play beforehand, I thought the many innuendos would be subtle and cleverly laid out. However, the actors made the meaning very clear but in great and hilarious ways, which enabled the audience to laugh almost through the entire show.”

The show was surprising and fresh for the audience. As a result, it received a great response.

“I do believe that the opening weekend of ‘The Doctor in Spite of Himself’ was a success,” said Liz Bernardo, the marketing associate for the Department of Theatre and the house manager for the show. “All of the audiences have truly seemed to enjoy the play, and I have heard nothing but positive feedback. We have had, on average, 75 percent of our seats in the theatre filled every night, which means that the word is getting out to people about the show.”

Likewise, Berkeley said she has received nothing but positive remarks. So, the opening of “The Doctor in Spite of Himself” gave the Department of Theatre’s season a great kick-start.

“I am new to this job this year, but I have loved performing these responsibilities for ‘The Doctor in Spite of Himself,’” Bernardo said. “In particular, I’ve loved the advertising side. As a hobbyist photographer, I’ve also enjoyed taking the publicity photos and seeing the amazing costumes and set. I’m particularly excited because this year the faculty have given me great responsibility and freedom to try new methods of advertising.”

For example, Bernardo set up a UNCW Theatre Instagram to post photos from rehearsals and shows and helped create a promotional video for the “The Doctor in Spite of Himself.”  

Overall, the UNCW Department of Theatre has had a successful start to the 2014-2015 season with the opening weekend of their first show, “The Doctor in Spite of Himself.”