Charles Court Opera emerge from lockdown!
London theatre news: Thursday 6 August 2020
Open Air Theatre - Opera
Charles Court Opera are back in action this month at The Malting’s Open Air Theatre Festival and Hever Festival.
Image courtesy Charles Court Opera
Charles Court Opera - often described as 'The masters of G & S in small spaces' - are coming out of lockdown to present their Offie Best Opera award-winning version of H.M.S. Pinafore and 'A Summer's Evening of G & S'.
The former will be performed at The Malting's Open Air Theatre Festival on Monday 24 August while A Summer's Evening of G & S will be presented at Hever Festival on Sunday 23 August.
The shows should prove popular with G&S fans starved of live versions of their favourite music these past few months.
Charles Court Opera and Opera Holland Park's co-production of 'The Pirates of Penzance' had been due to open this week but, as with many other productions, has had to be postponed.
Additionally, at the beginning of lockdown, CCO's production of 'Iolanthe' was about to open at London's King's Head Theatre, where the scenery is still standing on the stage, waiting to be dusted off as soon as indoor performances are once more back on the theatrical menu.
Artistic Director of Charles Court Opera, John Savournin, said ...
"We are thrilled to be getting our singers and production teams back to work, and bringing some much needed pleasure to audiences at this trying time."
H.M.S. Pinafore, which won Best Opera Production at the Offies after a sell-out run at the King's Head Theatre and a UK tour in 2019, will be in the Roman Theatre of St. Albans.
The 8-strong cast, led by Joseph Shovelton (D'Oyly Carte) as Sir Joseph Porter, is directed by John Savournin in a specially customised outdoor staging, with musical direction from David Eaton.
Adam Nichols, the Artistic Director of The Maltings Theatre, said ...
"I'm delighted to welcome the fabulous Charles Court Opera to add their customary wit and irreverence to our entertaining outdoor programme at The Maltings Open Air Theatre Festival."
The company's summer concert - 'A Summer's Evening of G & S' - will be presented at the Hever Festival on Sunday 23 August at 8pm.
With the beautiful backdrop of Hever Castle, a quintet of singers, including the company's artistic director John Savournin, Llio Evans, who sang in ENO's 'Iolanthe', and CCO regulars Meriel Cunningham, Matthew Kellett and Philip Lee, will perform a selection of songs, scenes and ensembles from the Savoy operas.
HMS PINAFORE
The earliest enduring success of Gilbert and Sullivan's famous collaboration, 'H.M.S Pinafore' is a firm favourite with audiences.
Gilbert uses the strictly hierarchical society of life on board the H.M.S.
Pinafore to satirise the rigidity of the British Class system, in this topsy-turvy tale of love levelling all ranks.
With many well-known songs, including 'I am the Monarch of the Sea', 'I'm called little Buttercup' and 'He is an Englishman', this production promises 90 minutes of rollicking choruses and tender tunes imbued with the unique wit and infectious energy of a CCO production, to be enjoyed by all ages.
'A winning blend of Benny Hill knockabout, operatic parody and music hall song-and-dance.' Evening Standard
Cast
Meriel Cunningham
Jennie Jacobs
Matthew Kellett
Catrine Kirkman
Philip Lee
Matthew Palmer
Alys Roberts
Joseph Shovelton
Production Team
Director - John Savournin
Musical Director - David Eaton
Choreographer - Damian Czarnecki
Designer - Rachel Szmukler
Venue
The Roman Theatre of Verulamium
Bluehouse Hil
St Albans
AL3 6AE
Dates
Monday 24 August, 3pm and 6pm
90 minutes, without interval
Tickets
From £10
A Summer's evening with Gilbert and Sullivan
Venue
The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle
Hever
Edenbridge
Kent TN8 7NG
Date
Sun 23 August 2020 20:00
Tickets
Uncovered ticket £20
Uncovered Friends ticket £18
Discounted joint entry tickets adult £31.45, child £26.80
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