Tony Robinson may be best known for playing a bumbling fool in Blackadder but in The Hypochondriac he plays – well, another bumbling fool actually.

The veteran actor, of Baldrick fame, takes the role of Argan, a wheelchair-bound invalid whose only true deficiency is happiness in his faux illness.

For Argan is convinced everything is wrong with him – so much so that he keeps his excrement in jars around his study, to the disgust of his servant Toinette (Tracie Bennett).

His dream is for his daughter Beline (Imogen Stubbs) to marry doctor Thomas, played by former Coronation Street star Craig Gazey, so he can receive free health care.

He seems none too fussed that Beline is more interested in apprentice Cleante (Jordan Metcalfe) – all while his scheming wife Angelique (Lisa Diviney) has her beady eye on his fortune, if he does eventually kick the bucket.

Robinson holds this interpretation of Moliere’s play together with his renowned comedic timing.

Yes, the plot is a little fractured in places but that comes with the territory when Blackadder wit meets Monty Python-esque physical comedy.

You will see better examples of this genre but it is well worth a watch regardless.

The Hypochondriac; Richmond Theatre, Little Green, Richmond; until November 29, evenings 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday matinees 2.30pm; tickets £10-£40.40; for tickets and information, call 0844 8717651 or visit atgtickets.com/Richmond.