A collection of Molière's finest comedies, farces and tragicomedies

Jean-Baptiste Pocquelin, better known by his pen-name Molière, was France's greatest satirical dramatist. Such was his influence on the French language that it is often referred to as 'the language of Molière', and he has been dubbed 'the French Shakespeare'. A leading 17th Century comic actor and director, his genius encompassed all aspects of stage comedy, and his plays continue to appeal to audiences today. Included here are six of his masterpieces, as heard on BBC Radio.

The Miser - The tale of selfish miser Harpagon, his scheming children and their desperate pursuit of love, marriage and money. Toby Jones, Holli Dempsey and Mathew Baynton star in this rumbustious adaptation of Molière's classic comedy of secrets, lies and obsessive greed.

Don Juan - Discarding his new bride, legendary womaniser Don Juan sets out in search of more romantic conquests. But eternal damnation awaits him if he does not repent his sins... Kenneth Haigh stars in this famous tragicomedy.

The Misanthrope - Disgusted with the hypocrisy of French society, poet Alceste embarks on a crusade against fakery, frippery and forked tongues. But could the woman he adores be the worst culprit of them all? Colin Tierney stars in Molière's comedy of manners and morals.

The School for Wives - Middle-aged Arnolphe plans to wed his innocent young ward, Agnes - but handsome Horace is also smitten with her, and proceeds to teach her the art of love... Starring Geoffrey Bayldon, Rosalind Shanks and Nicholas Pennell.

The Sisterhood - Henriette's engagement is threatened as her bluestocking mother Philaminte tries to marry her off to the foppish poet Trissotin. Can true love triumph over pretentiousness? Benjamin Whitrow, Brenda Blethyn and Simon Russell Beale star in this sparkling assault on pseudo-intellectualism.

The Imaginary Invalid - Elderly hypochondriac Argan plans to marry his daughter to a doctor to save on medical bills. There's just one problem - she is in love with someone else... Starring Maurice Denham and Jane Lapotaire.

First published 1662 (The School for Wives), 1665 (Don Juan), 1666 (The Misanthrope), 1668 (The Miser, Amphitryon), 1672 (The Sisterhood), 1673 (The Imaginary Invalid)

NB: Due to the age of the source material, the sound quality of The School for Wives may vary

Cast and credits
Written by Molière

The Miser
Cast: Toby Jones, Holli Dempsey, François Pandolfo, Mathew Baynton, Keiron Self, Cecilia Noble, Grace Cooper Milton, Don Gilet, Jasmine Hyde, Michael Begley, Neil McCaul
First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 16th Jan 2022

Don Juan
Cast: Kenneth Haigh, Bill Fraser, Sheila Grant, Patrick Tull, David Bailie, John Rye, Rolf Lefebvre, Kate Binchy, Penelope Lee, Brian Hewlett, Geoffrey Wincott, David Timson, James Thomason, Patrick Tull, Leslie Heritage, Penelope Lee
First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 2nd Jan 1972

The Misanthrope
Cast: Neil Caple, Simon Coates, Leander Deeny, Daniel Goode, Alison Pargeter, George Potts
Zara Tempest-Walters, Colin Tierney, Harvey Virdi
First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 10th Mar 2013

The School for Wives
Cast: Geoffrey Bayldon, Haydn Jones, Terry Scully, Jane Knowles, Rosalind Shanks, Nicholas Pennell, Peter France, Alba, Rolf Lefebvre
First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 21st Jan 1973

The Sisterhood
Cast: Benjamin Whitrow, Jean Both, Haydn Gwynne, Judy Parfitt, Brenda Blethyn, Simon Russell Beale, Christopher Scott, James Greene, Jane Whittenshaw, Nicholas Boulton
First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 26th May 1996

The Imaginary Invalid
Cast: Maurice Denham, Jane Lapotaire, Tina Marian, Charlotte Attenborough, Norman Rodway
Stratford Johns, John Moffatt, Philip Sully, Peter Craze, Cara Kelly, John Warner, Michael Graham Cox
First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 29th Dec 1988