****
Well, I never. A staging of a comedic opera that is actually funny. Purists may argue Verdi’s Un Giorno di Regno, owes more to Donizetti or Rossini but who cares?
In this delightful new staging by Christopher Alden for Garsington Opera we are given a contemporary arms dealer’s office Kelbar Defence Ltd. rather than the Baron Kelbar’s period palace. A video wall shows news flashes of the fate of the missing King of Poland, gun-totting secret service types forming the chorus, and lots and lots of over the top nonsense. The chorus also becomes Polish footfall fans with Polska scarves. Did I mention the karaoke and wedding speeches? With Charles Edwards’ set, Sue Wilmington’s costumes and the vital video work from Illuminos it made for an excellent show.
Joshua Hopkins is a hoot as the king for the day as he wreaks havoc on “the court”, balancing a fine baritone with whacky comedic abilities. He wears his Iron Maiden T-Shirt while sporting a crown and orb. This all fitted perfectly in this production that boasted masses of cheeky interactions between the characters including stalwarts Henry Waddington as Baron Kelbar and Grant Doyle as La Rocca. There was sparklingly fun characterisation by Christine Rice of the Marchesa, a hard as nails cougar who kept trying to avoid cigarettes so was plastered with nicotine patches.
Madison Leonard made an appealing and brightly sung fiesty and no nonsense Giulietta paired with Oliver Sewell’s amorous Edoardo a real find. The jollity was completed by Robert Murray as the Count Ivrea.
Madison Leonard and Oliver Sewell
The secret agents as chorus, choreographed by Tim Claydon, were in fine form while Chris Hopkins conducted a shining Philharmonia.
Images: Richard Hubert Smith
