The Magic Flute, Sarah Champion, Julian Debreuil, Jennifer Begley and Polly Leech (Photo Bill Night) |
Reviewed by Anthony Evans on May 9 2017
Star rating:
An imaginative new production of Mozart's perennial favourite enchants and charms
Robin Balley as Tamino (Photo Bill Night) |
Thirty odd years later it’s spell was cast again in this mystical production at the King’s Head Theatre on Tuesday 9 May 2017, in a new co-production with Charles Court Opera. John Savournin directed, with designs by Simon Bejer and David Eaton as musical director, plus Robin Bailey as Tamino, Emily-Jane Thomas as Pamina, Matthew Kellett as Papageno, Hannah Sawle as the Queen of the Night and Julian Debreuil as Sarastro.
John Savournin and David Eaton’s new English version emphasises enlightenment and the power of knowledge including some nods towards our current political predicaments and the new scourge of fake news - “learn to think critically”. This endlessly witty and inventive production absolutely charmed my pants off.
Emily-Jane Thomas as Pamina (Photo Bill Night) |
We discover our intrepid hero Tamino (Robin Bailey), a plucky explorer type, in a bit of a bind. Viciously attacked by a vine he is rescued just in the nick of time. Spotters’ guide in hand he stumbles into the path of Papageno (Matthew Kellett) who is happy to take credit for our champions rescue and who wouldn’t believe such a charming and seductively honey toned baritone?
Robin Bailey, our “firm buttocked” hero, sang ardently but, favouring his lower register, he pushed a little at the top. Hannah Sawle’s arch Queen of the Night was a concerned mother and sometime witch, strangling birds and persecuting voodoo dolls whilst delivering assured and passionate coloratura.
Matthew Kellett as Papageno & Jennifer Begley as Papagena (Photo Bill Night) |
Papagena and the Ladies, Jennifer Begley, Sarah Champion and Polly Leach, all worked their socks off too. This was a true ensemble performance, no showboating here.
Finally magic and superstition are rejected, even the flute is set aside in this humanist tale -“logic prevails, hypocrisy fails, trust in knowledge”. It’s a pity that real life isn’t this simple, but for two hours it felt as if it was. Enchanting.
Reviewed by Anthony Evans
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- I think you love playing the violin: Kyung Wha Chung in conversation - feature article
- Welded into the national consciousness? Gilbert & Sullivan returns to London's opera houses - feature article
- Period charm: Original music for harp and piano from Duo Praxedis - CD review
- From study with Janacek in Brno to Terezin: Songs of Pavel Haas - CD review
- Virtuoso 17th century violin: Jonathan Cohen and Arcangelo in Biber, Schmelzer & Buxtehude - concert review
- Dubai-Rostov-New York: Scenes from Contemporary Opera from the young artists of the National Opera Studio - Opera review
- Exploring the mysterious world: Thomas Ades' The Exterminating Angel - Opera review
- Fresh and distinctive: Walton's Facade with Zeb Soanes, Carole Boyd and John Wilson - CD review
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