THE MERRY WIDOW

THE MERRY WIDOW

Trinity Methodist Music and Drama in the Civic Theatre

14.05.13

A wealth of operetta experience on and off stage for Trinity's latest Merry Widow.

An inauspicious first act, with leaden pace and an unexciting embassy setting, but things perk up after the interval, with the colourful Pontevedrian Night chez Glawari: superb national costumes and atmospheric lighting. And there are some successful ensemble pieces, too, like the Women Women number, twelve gentlemen lined up across the stage, or the game Grisettes in the Maxim's tribute, augmented by six lithe can-can girls [choreography by Julie Slater].

The orchestra, with real live harp [Lynne Creasey] is conducted by Trinity regular Gerald Hindes. Martyn Harrison, who directs, is new to this company, but is no stranger to the show. He's chosen to concentrate on the plot and the people, and there are certainly laughs to be had in Jeremy Sams' risqué and irreverent translation.

As Camille, Stuart Boother is a dashing young tenor in the Boe mould, well matched by Dee Mardi's enjoyably coquettish Valencienne. The Widow herself is given a lively, earthy performance by Alyson Denza – the crucial

Vilja song beautifully delivered. Her Danilo [Stephen Cooper] is not the most charismatic, more heavy artillery than light cavalry, but he does the right thing for the Fatherland in the end, to general relief and rejoicing.

Entertaining work from Patrick O'Connell as the old Baron, David Ehren as covert surveillance specialist Njegus, and, as two noble diplomats, Joe Gray and Patrick Willis.

production photograph by Val Scott

THE MERRY WIDOW

THE MERRY WIDOW

OperaDella Luna at the Civic Theatre

10.03.12

This popular company brought their Widow, typically pragmatic and slyly inventive, to a Civic packed with their fans [aka "Lunatics"]. Last month, Limassol ...

Lehar's music is given due respect by the eight singers and the colourful band; Jeremy Sam's translation adds an acerbic freshness to a tale that can often seem saccharine and quaint.

The production, by Artistic Director Jeff Clarke, was full of clever ideas, notably here the puppets in the pavilion and the amazingly supple Grisettes in Act III – remember we're looking at a company of eight, with just two women …

Jim Hutchon joined the Lunatics in the Civic Stalls:


The Lunatics were out in force on 10^th March in Chelmsford. These self-styled ‘groupies’ are followers of the glittering ensemble opera group ‘Opera della Luna’ and had gathered in a full house at the Civic for Lehar’s ‘The Merry Widow’.

After more than a hundred years in constant production around the world, it’s hard to imagine anything new can be got from this light-hearted work, but the verve, style and imagination of the group brought a freshness and sparkle to it.

An effortless Trevor Jary hit all the right notes as Count Danilo, the male lead, while his female counterpart with the voice of an angel – the eponymous widow – was Rhona McKail, employing a TOWIE accent to suit her humble origins.

The Director, Jeff Clark (who was also the MD) used his small ensemble of only eight with simple stylish backdrops to create sumptuous scenes of lavish decadence in the mythical pre-WW1 Balkan principality. The highly talented orchestra and cast brought out the drama, humour and tunes to create a whole new view of the work.

Shadow puppets in the summer house and blow-up dolls in a Can-Can are experiences which will live long in the memory.