Photos – Tom MasseyAdultery, infidelity, debauchery, in flagrante and a hint of incest, Charles Morey’s reworking of Beaumarchais’ Figaro is mild Moliere with a flash of Feydeau.
Played panto rather than farce, Shane Bates’ production is rewarded by the beau casting of its lead actor, Ted Crosby as the titular Figaro, tall, angular, agile in tongue and body, he's nobody's fool except for his beloved.
He is provided sweet accompaniment by Yasmin Arkinstall as his betrothed, Suzanne, a feisty maid, whose cunning stunt to shunt the count and connive for a confrontation with the countess illustrates, complete with saucy wink, her social savvy and sense of natural justice.
Paul Murton is the thickener of the plot, a born to rule fool as the carnal, cringe worthy Count, a crass toad intent on leapfrogging Suzanne's loins and tadpoling her fallopian, a cunning affront to cuckold Figaro on the eve of his nuptials. The peerless prig has an over abundance of the right of entitlement which includes the wanton entitlement to his female servant's tights.
As his stoic, steadfast spouse, Molly Haddon does a fine line in statuesque, regal and refined as the Countess, hopelessly in love with the lecherous louse.
Like most plays of its time, Figaro is top heavy with exposition in its first act, but thankfully steams home in the second with an absurd court hearing featuring a judge with a speech impediment concerning the letter P, a scathing socio-political monologue from the protagonist and a flagrant bed trick among the fragrant flower beds and potting sheds of a country garden, where the Count, no doubt, keeps his rooting powder.
Owen Gimblet’s peachy set transforms from drawing room claustrophobia to spatially airy nocturnal Botanica, aided and abetted by Michael Schell’s lux lighting and sound design, and Susan Carveth’s costume design gives piss elegant pomp to the circumstance. Peter Henson gives the production a good dressing gown!
Genesian Theatre presents
Figaro
by Charles Morey | based on the play by Beaumarchais
Director Shane Bates
Venue: Genesian Theatre | 420 Kent St, Sydney NSW
Dates: 2 Sep – 14 Oct, 2017
Bookings: www.genesiantheatre.com.au
