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Frailty and Hypocrisy (Figaro Trilogy #3)

Pierre Beaumarchais (1732 - 1799)
Translated by James Wild (1771 - 1854)

This is James Wild's English translation of the French play, "The Guilty Mother," the third installment of Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais' Figaro trilogy, first staged in summer 1792. His plays are a satire about lovers' misdoings and French society, and the rebellious themes, presented during the troubling times leading up to the French Revolution, created great difficulty getting them past the censors (and, indeed, contributed to the playwright having to flee from France). Once staged, the plays were enormously popular with audiences, including the aristocracy, despite their understanding of the underlying themes. All three plays were made into operas, although this final play is lesser known. - - Twenty years after the Figaro marriage, Figaro and Suzanne must come to the rescue of the Count and Countess, whose marriage endures despite each having an illegitimate child. Enter the fiend who wishes to marry the lovely daughter . . . and classic Beaumarchais entertainment ensues. This play follows "The Barber of Seville" and then "The Follies of a Day; OR, The Marriage of Figaro." - Summary by Lynette Caulkins

Cast List in Order of Appearance:

Susan: Jenn Broda
Figaro: Todd
Signor Astuto: Beeswaxcandle
Count Almaviva: Wayne Cooke
Florestina: ShimpPhish
Countess Almaviva: WendyKatzHiller
The Neapolitan: Inkell
Chevalier Léon: Jon Hunter
Muleteer: Scott Caulkins
Carlos: Jim Hedrick
Notary: Alan Mapstone
Stage Directions: Larry Wilson
Editing: Lynette Caulkins

Genre(s): Culture & Heritage Fiction, Dramatic Readings, Satire

Language: English

Keyword(s): romance (1066), satire (292), comedy (191), french revolution (62), French literature (28), figaro (4), count malizia (1)

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 Act I Group 00:32:05
Play 02 Act II Group 00:35:53
Play 03 Act III Group 00:25:41
Play 04 Act IV Group 00:21:30
Play 05 Act V Group 00:38:11