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Preview by Paul Nelson
IT
HAS been 10 years since Music Theatre London put its first 'reconstructed'
opera on a London stage. Having been a favourite ever since, a bold and thrilling
new version of The Marriage of Figaro will now premiere at the Drill
Hall on May 11 at 4pm.
It is May 2003. Britain's president is in deep trouble and the opposition
party has come to the conclusion that the only way to remove itself from the
sidelines is to remove its leader.
Sir Michael envisions himself as the party's saviour and is determined to
triumph. He is equally determined to have his wicked way with his wife's assistant,
whose husband to be, Figaro, is determined that Sir Michael will not.
Sir Michael's long-suffering wife is intrigued by the attention of her godson
whilst intrigue drives Marcellina and her lawyer sidekick to ever more ludicrous
plottings. Add to this mayhem false identities, cross dressing and outrageous
comedy, and you have an opera production which comes up as freshly minted
as it first did in Vienna.
MTL's unique combination of modern English texts performed by highly talented
actor-singers (including West End performers, such as Stephen Ashfield, from
Taboo) perfectly reflects what Mozart originally intended. Genuine
passion and pathos beautifully complement the riotous plot.
The Marriage of Figaro, Directed by Tony Britten, WITH: Nigel Richards,
Melanie Gutteridge, Mary Lincoln, Stephen Ashfield, Rosamund Shelley, and
Simon Masterson-Smith. Presented by Music Theatre London and The Drill Hall
at The Drill Hall, 16 Chenies Street (off Tottenham Court Road), London WC1
from May 11 to June 8. Tickets 020 7307 5060.
RELATED LINKS: Click here
for The Drill Hall website...
