Download Thrapston Plaza Bartered Bride-1

District Seven (Northants North)
SERVING AMATEUR THEATRE SINCE 1899
26 Little Meadow, Great Oakley, Corby, Northants, NN18 8JN
Tel: 01536 744615 Mob: 07920 112719
E Mail: [email protected]
Dear Vince
Thank you for your invitation to attend Thrapston Plaza Opera’s production of Smetana’s The Bartered
Bride. Having enjoyed your inaugural production of Carmen last year, which is perhaps considered one
of the more accessible Opera’s for those unfamiliar with the genre, I was unsure how this piece would
sit with me, however I need not have been concerned, it was extremely easy to follow and thoroughly
entertaining.
Anne Parkes in her director notes said that she had tried to capture the ambience of a festival in the
countryside with her staging and this she certainly achieved. Cleverly moving the performance onto the
floor of the Plaza theatre, rather than using the stage, and having the audience at right angles to the
action was very effective and as an audience member you felt more involved in the production.
The orchestra with no less than 11 in the string section was wonderful throughout. Musical Director
Vince Davey had assembled some great musicians who did the score real justice, never once
overpowering the performances from the actors on the floor. His clear understanding of the score's
dexterity and wit, as well as the poignant moments of sadness, was exceptional. Chorus work was also
excellent vocally and generally speaking from an acting perspective – Mandy Nimmo, in particular was
in character throughout whenever she was on stage though there were one or two members of the
ensemble who perhaps would have benefitted from a little more direction in this area. The young
dancers were excellent. As I commented with last years production, I still noticed a certain hesitation at
times with the ensemble and one or two principals as they were clearly concentrating on the screen
behind to pick up with the orchestra but this was a marked improvement none the less and rarely
detracted from the perfomances.
All principal performers were superb and whilst I am aware from the programme notes many have
experienced Opera CV’s to their names the line up complemented each other well.
Joanne Mayling was tremendous as Marenka. She has a beuatiful soprano voice that seemed effortless
throughout. Mitesh Khatri as Jenik has a wonderful tenor range and very comical jestures and Martin
Muir as Kecal was in fine voice and commanded the stage when he was on. Vasek was played by
Clement Hetherington and was wide-eyed and infinitely touching, the stammer beautifully done,
without exaggeration or caricature.
The simple set was well designed and lighting good throughout the performance. Costumes looked
good too.
Vince, please once again pass on my congratulations to the cast and crew of The Bartered Bride and to
Thrapston Plaza Opera Company’s committee for a thoroughly entertaining production.
I look forward to your next venture and wish you every success with it.
Kindest regards
Neil Richardson
Regional Representative
NODA East Midlands – District 7
NATIONAL OPERATIC and DRAMATIC ASSOCIATION
Headquarters – NODA House, 58 – 60 Lincoln Road, Peterborough PE1 2RZ
Tel: 0870 770 2480 Fax: 0870 770 2490
e-mail [email protected] website: www.noda.org.uk