Following the huge success of The Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro, Sir Thomas Allen and Simon Higlett return to take on the fantastical charms of Mozart’s most inventive opera. Set in a spectacular visual world inspired by ‘steam punk’ Victoriana, this promises to be a stylish and imaginative telling of this much-loved piece. Read more …
Tamino is shown a painting of a beautiful young maiden and immediately falls in love. She is Pamina, the daughter of the mysterious Queen of the Night, who has been abducted by her mother’s arch enemy, Sarastro. Tamino sets out to rescue her with just a magic flute and Papageno, a bumbling bird-catcher looking for love, to help him. But as their quest progresses the men start to question the motives of those around them, and they soon realise that all is not quite as it seems…
A beguiling mix of comedy, fantasy and pantomime, The Magic Flute is also a profound story of the search for love, wisdom and truth. Mozart’s music effortlessly evokes the full gamut of emotions on stage – from heartfelt love songs and comic exchanges to explosive coloratura in the infamous Queen of the Night arias. Scottish tenor Nicky Spence (Intermezzo 2011) sings Tamino, and internationally acclaimed soprano Mari Moriya is the Queen of the Night. Mozart and Magic Flute expert Ekhart Wycik conducts.
Music-hall variety and steampunk, industrial-revolution design drive Scottish Opera’s brilliantly crowd-pleasing new Magic Flute.
There might be some rather clunky set-changes, and the production’s remarkable theatrical exuberance fades slightly in the second half, but it’s a thrilling show, expertly executed, and most importantly, a real hoot.
Great fun and well worth seeing.
Glorious set and costumes aside, there is much joy to be found in Allen’s warped little world. There are nods to Mozart’s original intentions and no attempt has been made to underplay the esoteric elements of the story.
The result is formidable performances from the entire cast, and total audience immersion into the simple yet involving plot.
Nicky Spence on his appearance in a steamppunk version of The Magic Flute
Scottish Opera: The Magic Flute
Theatre Royal, Glasgow from Wednesday October 17, 2012, until Saturday October 27, 2012. Playing on alternate nights.. More info: www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyalglasgow/
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen from Thursday November 1, 2012, until Saturday November 3, 2012. No performance on the 2nd.. More info: www.hmtaberdeen.com
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness from Thursday November 8, 2012, until Saturday November 10, 2012. More info: www.eden-court.co.uk
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh from Friday November 16, 2012, until Saturday November 24, 2012. Playing alternate nights.. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/festival
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