Peter Mumford Archives - North West End UK

Roberto Devereux – Teatro Donizetti, Bergamo

27Nov

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

REVIEWS

Roberto Devereux – Teatro Donizetti, Bergamo

Director Stephen Langridge delightfully breathes new life into Donizetti’s three-act lyrical tragedy in this new production by the Fondazione Teatro Donizetti in co-production with the Teatro Sociale di Rovigo, and which, in spite of its title, is all about two women: one loved and one scorned, and the resulting danger that ensues. In late 16th C London, Elizabetta I (Jessica Pratt) feels neglected by Roberto Devereux (John Osborn), Earl of Essex, with whom she is madly in love. Two of the Queen’s advisors, Lord Cecil (David Astorga) and Raleigh (Ignas Malnikas), Essex’s enemies, ask her to charge him with treason for his lenient behaviour in the war against Spain. Elisabetta receives Roberto, who is detached and reserved. The Duke of Nottingham (Simone Piazzole) is concerned by the ...

Madama Butterfly – Metropolitan Opera

Paula Williams’ revival of Anthony Minghella’s original production is full of good intentions but too many gimmicks get in the way of Puccini’s devastating tragedy about a young geisha who falls in love with an American naval officer. Marriage broker Goro (Tony Stevenson) shows US naval lieutenant Pinkerton (Jonathan Tetelman) around the home he will share with his bride-to-be in Nagasaki, although American Consul Sharpless (Lucas Meachem) warns him of the tragic consequences that may follow. The Butterfly duly lands in the form of young Japanese girl Cio-Cio-San (Asmik Grigorian) supported by maid Suzuki (Elizabeth DeShong), and they are married by the Commissioner (Paul Corona). Her love makes her willing to sacrifice everything which sees her disowned by her uncle, a Bonze (Robert Po...

The Merchant of Venice – Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

It is not often recognised that this is one of Shakespeare’s comedies and watching this RSC production from 2015 under the direction of Polly Findlay as part of the BBC Culture in Quarantine programme, one would be tempted to say it was a tragedy. I often say that less is more but Johannes Schütz’s set design is so bare that even with its pendulum constantly swinging, it is impossible to decipher a proper sense of time or place which is at the heart of this play about money and how it affects all involved. We begin with Antonio (Jamie Ballard), a prince among Venetian merchants who is unaccountably depressed despite his obvious success as a dealer in luxury goods. His friend Bassanio (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd) in contrast is broke but remains reasonably cheerful as he has a plan to marry Por...