Knock (play)


Knock is a 1923 French satirical play about modern medicine, written by Jules Romains. It was performed for the first time at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris on 15 December 1923 in a production by Louis Jouvet.

Plot

The ambitious Dr. Knock arrives in a rural village, Saint-Maurice, to step into Dr. Parpalaid's footsteps as the local physician. Unfortunately, most of the villagers are in good health. He therefore decides to make everybody believe they are actually far sicker then they actually are...

Adaptations

Theatrical adaptations

Titled Dr. Knock, the play was presented at the Peacock Theatre in Dublin in 1932, with set designs by the 16-year-old Orson Welles.

Film adaptations

A version entitled "Doctor Knock" was broadcast on BBC Television from Alexandra Palace - the only television of the time - on 13 January 1938.
A British television version for the BBC's Theatre 625 series was broadcast in 1966.