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Dr Knock, Or the Triumph of Medicine
Encore exclusive interview with Mint Theater Artistic Director Jonathan Bank
The Mint’s Artistic Director, Jonathan Bank
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The Mint Theater finds new wind for Dr. Knock, Or the Triumph of Medicine, a 1923 French play in the midst of America’s health care debate. Dr. Knock is the centerpiece of playwright Jules Romains’ career, having been a staple on the French stage since its initial five-year run. The satirical dig at modern medicine hits home in contemporary American culture. Encore got a chance to speak with the Mint Theater artistic director, Jonathan Bank, about the production.
How did you first discover Dr. Knock, Or the Triumph of Medicine?
The first English language version of the play was by Harley Granville Barker. We’ve produced and published two of his plays: The Voysey Inheritance in 1999–2000, and The Madras House in 2007. He was a brilliant man of the theater: a great writer, actor and director, and if he found the play worth working on, I knew it was worth my taking a look.
What compelled you to write your own translation?
As you can imagine, I went into this intending to produce the Granville Barker translation from 1926. But Romains’ estate wouldn’t permit that. There wasn’t a lot of discussion about why; I believe they felt it was out-of-date, but for all I know they weren’t happy with the terms of their original agreement with Granville Barker. They offered me another translation, British, unpublished, from 1974. Neither Gus Kaikkonen, my director, nor I were thrilled with it, and for a time I didn’t know if I was going to proceed with the production or not. Gus is fluent in French and a published playwright, and we decided that I should try and convince the estate to allow Gus to do a new version, which they did.
Do you consider your version to be true to the original?
Absolutely. This is not an “adaptation.” It’s Romains’ play in a fresh, wonderfully playable and very funny English version, but it’s absolutely true to the original—more so than the Granville Barker, in fact, which may have been another reason why the estate won’t allow that to be used anymore.
What inspired you to produce Dr. Knock at this time?
I’m always looking for the right time to do the right play. This one has been on my shelf for a long time; I first read it several years ago and I filed it away. I can’t say that I was waiting for the moment when healthcare would be the topic of daily headlines. But I was waiting for just the right moment, and here it is!
Performances, which begin April 14 and continue through June 6, will be Tuesday through Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.. Tickets are $55. All performances will take place on the Third Floor of 311 W. 43rd St. For more information or to order tickets, please visit www.minttheater.org.