Character on the couch
Each week we subject one of drama's great characters to psychoanalysis. Today Figaro is played by Paul Meston. The analyst is Leo Benedictus.
How are you this morning? Not too bad. We had a little bit of a party last night. A few drinks were drunk, along with a couple of plates of paella, but apart from that I'm fine.
Good. Were you celebrating something? Oh well, there's always room for a drink or two, you know.
I see. I hope you're not too tired. Ah well, I'm tired anyway. I'm a general factotum for Don Bartolo - working in the kitchen, unblocking the toilet, you name it, I'm doing it.
How do you feel about that kind of work? I don't like it at all. Bartolo is a particularly unpleasant individual, so I'm still finding it hard. But we've all got to make our way in the world, so I just have as little to do with him as I possibly can.
You mentioned last week that there might be some other work from one of your previous employers. Yes, extraordinarily enough, the Count of Almaviva has piled into town. He's taken a fancy to Bartolo's missus, Rosine, so he's offered me a nice little golden handshake to help him pursue her. I have to make sure they are both in the right place at the right time, although my plans get messed around quite a lot because Bartolo is always coming in and putting his foot in it. Still, it keeps the mind exercised.
And do you prefer it to your everyday work? This is a lot more fun. I'm like the puppeteer; I've got them all on the end of a bit of string, only they don't know it.
You're helping love to triumph, which must be satisfying. Well, Almaviva's a bit of an eejit, really. Whether he's in love with her or not, I really don't mind. It's just a bit of fun for me, you know. I'm having a laugh and getting a few bob for it at the end of the day.
Yet you're still stuck in this subservient position. I may be in a subservient position, but I'm not being subservient.
How about the confidence-building technique of repeating your own name? Has this helped you to feel better about yourself? I suppose so. It's not hard to be honest; they're all eejits.
· The Barber of Seville opens on Friday at the Bristol Old Vic. Box office: 0117 987 7877.