“You like two things – being ill, and letting everyone know you’re ill.”

As level-headed brewer Beralde ticks off his hypochondriac brother Argan - ridiculing alternative medicine and even the Atkins diet along the way - the modern-day resonances for Moliere’s final play come through directly from the 17th century.

It seems strange that directors Lindsay Posner and Lisa Blair felt it necessary to augment Richard Bean’s translation with anachronistic songs about Googling symptoms and a paean to the wonder of drugs.

Although funny, the songs add little to the main play, as a top-class ensemble bring Moliere’s tale to life. Special credit must go to Imogen Stubbs, as Argan’s gold-digging wife Beline, a thumb-sucking Craig Gazey as potential suitor Thomas and Tracie Bennett making the most of cheeky servant Toinette’s sharp wit.

As Argan, the underlay king turned invalid, Tony Robinson battles with a character it is hard to like, although his reactions in the enema scene are hilarious.

This is not a show for the prudish – from the Gilbert And George backcloth to the frequent scatological references this production is as obsessed with faeces as Gillian McKeith.

The closing Latin burlesque is well drawn, although audience members will need to read their programmes in advance to understand the final coda.