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South West Opera Company Regent Centre Christchurch May 2002 The score was exquisitely played by a first-class orchestra and the chorus, although well past the first flush of youth, sang brightly and with quality. As the show progressed there were some real high spots, especially in scenes featuring Orpheus (Bruce Vyner), Eurydice (Cherrill Ashford) and Jupiter (the ever-excellent Philip Redgrave), and the dancers from the Diana Gulliford School of Dance provided a lively can-can. Andrew Dawson’s Pluto was suitably evil but his appalling wig and what appeared to be blue eye shadow turned him into a caricature and gave the first hint of the amateurishness that pervaded the production. Too many modern references (Posh & Becks, takeaway pizza, the IMAX and East Enders to name but a few) spoiled the script – I’m all for updating but this pudding was over-egged, and the set and props were disappointing. Additionally, there were a number of prompts and sadly even the singing deteriorated to the extent that several numbers turned into a battle between singers and orchestra – and on occasions I simply could not hear what on earth (or in Hades) anyone was singing about. Lind Kirkman Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo |
