Opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, director: Anna Malunat, costumes: Magdolna Parditka, Schauspielhaus Graz, 2005

Le Nozze di Figaro is primarily about the relationship between reality and make-belief. When the boundaries between play and reality start to blur, playing games can become addictive and play can become reality. The loss of control has severe consequences for the stage set. The parquet floor rips into jagged fragments that are scattered accross the stage, props become weapons and the musicians are attacked by vermin. Finally, the vast glittering chandelier crashes to the ground and its pieces are dispelled into the audience only to reveal that what appeared to be crystals are actually beer bottle tops and trouser buttons. After a short silence, the characters sweep up the pieces, arrange their props and prepare for the next round. The production was awarded the International Ring Award for Directing and Stage Design in 2005 and the Press Jury Award.