Historic tragedy at 1784 play

On April 24, 1784, a crowd at the Théâtre de l’Odéon in Paris caused three deaths due to suffocation during the performance of La Folle Journée ou le Mariage de Figaro, a play by Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais written in 1778.

Beaumarchais play returns after 200 years

In 2026, Alain Françon, a stage director with over a hundred productions and three Molière awards for direction, is for the first time directing a play by Beaumarchais. The production of Le Mariage de Figaro will take place at the Théâtre de la Porte-Saint-Martin from April 24, 2026, until December 31, 2026.

Play’s plot and themes

The plot follows Figaro, who is about to get married, as he discovers that his master, Count Almaviva, has designs on his fiancée Suzanne, to the point of considering reinstating the droit de cuissage. This leads to a series of obstacles, tricks, and disguises from Figaro and Suzanne, with the help of the Countess.

Cast and production details

The production features twenty actors and actresses, including Vincent Dedienne in the lead role, previously directed by Françon in Un chapeau de paille d’Italie in 2023. Noémie Lvovsky plays Marceline, Micha Lescot and Alix Poisson are the Almaviva couple, Ana Blagojević plays Suzanne, and Axel Auriant and Nemo Schiffman share the role of Chérubin.

Staging and historical context

The staging, acting, and costumes are highlighted as strong aspects of the production, which carries the audience through a comedy full of twists, with the tone shifting in the fifth act, taking place in the shadows. Le Mariage de Figaro was expected to be a pre-revolutionary play at the time due to its conflicts with censorship, though it is not a political pamphlet but sheds light on privileges and power relations that led to the French Revolution a few years after the play's premiere.

Performance schedule and ticketing

The production is scheduled to run until December 31, 2026, on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and Sundays at 4 p.m. Information and reservations are available on the theatre's website. Konbini is a partner of the Théâtre de la Porte-Saint-Martin.