Review originally posted on Totally Theatre a couple of weeks ago. Posted here for Record.
"The Problem with Grand Opera is it attracts Grand People - or at least people who may think they are ‘Grand'." This is something I heard last night prior to the performance of The Barber of Seville. And I think this is an expectation that people come to expect. Well this is where the "Opera Up Close" Production Team blow that pretence and pretentiousness out of the water.
Well without giving to much away for those that aren't familiar with the story - The Barber is the character "Figaro" who enjoys his life very much, after all he is the "busiest man in all Salisbury"! Figaro could almost be described as the towns Cupid, for all whom he helps out, a match made in heaven is sure to follow. So it is with Figaro's charms and know how that the Marquis of Bath sets forth to snare himself the lovely Rosina away from the wet hands of Doctor Bartleby.
Firstly they have decided to stage their version of the famous Italian Opera at the intimate and marvelous Kings Head Theatre - It doubles up as a wonderful Boozer for the locals of Angel day and night. You won't see black ties, pearls and royal boxes at this performance, instead they want to attract those that would happily go out to the cinema or catch a west end musical as well as the usual Opera Lovers.
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Some may argue that ‘Opera Up Close' are dumbing down Opera by presenting their Operas in English - but the reality is with thoughtful and brilliant translations made fresh for the modern palette they are in fact revolutionising Opera. This in fact is "The Barber of Salisbury" set not in Seville but in the small English town a couple of hundred years ago.
Well without giving to much away for those that aren't familiar with the story - The Barber is the character "Figaro" who enjoys his life very much, after all he is the "busiest man in all Salisbury"! Figaro could almost be described as the towns Cupid, for all whom he helps out, a match made in heaven is sure to follow. So it is with Figaro's charms and know how that the Marquis of Bath sets forth to snare himself the lovely Rosina away from the wet hands of Doctor Bartleby.
Effectively this is the original Hollywood "LA Story" where like-able boy wants the girl so with the aid of his suave friend he is guided on how to win the girl from the less likable Doctor and as this journey unfolds we see the Marquis of Bath giving up his Casanova ways to be with the one true girl Rosina. Simple but when the entire performance is sung (effectively that is how an Opera works) you will find many lines sung like a chorus and others as verses - it can draw out a fairly short story, but let me tell you that this is not a bad thing. The Barber of Salisbury could be described as a joyous musical affair and yes I do say musical because it comes across like a musical rather than a high brow Opera you may or may not be usually accustomed to.
I'm not of the ability to spot whether the Operatic voices were or were not flawed on the night but I can safely say that each and everyone of the performances brought to the stage by the six actors and actresses was truly mesmerizing. None more so than the brilliant Figaro played by young ‘Richard Immergluck'. Over the performance Richard captured the essence on what it was to be the plucky entrepernial Barber of Salisbury - bringing a truly English side to this character I had not seen in all Figaro performances.
The Marquis of Bath played by Gareth Dafydd Morris on the night was mesmerising as he strutted around the stage and through the audience interacting with his fellow thespians with sheer class. And although the thought that an opera could be carried with an upright piano and acoustic guitar might be baulked at by Opera Purists who demand a fully oiled orchestra it certainly didn't spoil it for myself and the rapturous audience who all walked out of the theatre gleeful and wanting more.
If you're lucky to catch this performance at the Kings Head Theatre you're going to come away smiling and extremely invigorated, refreshed in the knowledge you have just witnessed something very special despite - rare indeed when a classic graces the stage these days. If there is any Theatrical Justice in the world of London theatre this one will sell out for its entire run - I know its sold another 2 tickets because I'm going to go back again just to take it in again one more time, on second thoughts make it 4 tickets and I'll bring the family!
