Theatre review - La Boheme (From Warrington Guardian)

Theatre review - La Boheme

IT was a gala occasion when the English Touring Opera brought Puccini's La Boheme to the new Brindley theatre.

The ETO gave a masterly performance. The set was perfect, versatile and intelligently designed.

It emphasised the bleak discomfort of the opera while having the odd wry commentary on modern life - the broken microwave, the steel scaffolding and the salacious signs of a large city district today.

Although the colourful, bustling crowd scene of crowded Christmas shoppers was omitted from act 11, the director used the set itself to convey the contrast between tawdry wealth and the poverty of the cultured Bohemians. The opera was true to its composer.

The arias were beautifully and sensitively sung by Amos Christie (Rodrigo) and Tamsin Coombs (Mimi) who did not stray into mawkishness.

The clarity of (Musetta) Charlotte Ellett's singing blended well with the smoothly controlled voice of Douglas Bowen (Marcello).

The red splash of Musetta's shiny coat when she climbed the scaffolding to deface his painting lingers in the mind.

The small compass and shape of the theatre were used brilliantly by the director, Annilese Miskimmon, to give a very intimate style.The simplicy and delicacy she achieved in the last act were breathtaking.

Her modern interpretations did not detract from the portrayal of true love and deep passion.

Her insight that Mimi could be an illegal immigrant was inspired.

One was left with the feeling that Puccini would have been well pleased with this modern performance.

Rona Collins

Halton Music Society