The Figaro Project

The whole play takes place in the castle of Aguas-Fresca, supposedly near the town of Sevilla in South-West Spain. But Beaumarchais makes no attempt to give any local colour. All the characters and references are obviously late-18th century French, not to say Parisian.

Act I Scenes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Castle interior: simple, undecorated room for Figaro and Suzanne, situated between the bedrooms of the Count (door on the right) and the Countess (door on the left).

On stage:

• a large armchair (big enough to hide behind)
• a full-length mirror

Act II Scenes 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20, 21

Castle interior: The Countess' bedroom. Next to the room in Act I but much more ornate and luxurious.

• Door 1 (on the right) leads back to Figaro and Suzanne's nuptial chamber.
• Door 2 (on the left) leads to an antechamber/bathroom (cabinet de toilette).
• Door 3 (at the back of the stage) leads to the rest of the house.
• A window (view of countryside) will be used to escape from.

On stage:

• a reclining couch (bergère).
• a large ornate bed (not functional)

Off-stage:

• a chair to knock over noisily.

Final Scene Act V Scene 19 (adapted)

Garden: Evening or night scene. Indeterminate location or space. Create a slightly unreal, magical atmosphere for dancers and singers. Lanterns? Projections? Suspensions? Leaves & trees?