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MUSIC THEATRE WALES NOMINATED FOR UK THEATRE AWARD FOR ITS PRODUCTION OF TURNAGE’S GREEK |
Music Theatre Wales has been nominated for a prestigious Theatre Award UK for its production of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s opera, Greek, currently on tour.Michael McCarthy’s visceral production of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s precocious first opera – a raunchy re-write of the Oedipus myth set in the East End - is nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Opera, where it is up against formidable competition from two of opera’s big hitters – Opera North and Canadian baritone Gerald Finley for his performance in Wagner’s Meistersinger at Glyndebourne. The winners of Theatre Awards UK will be announced on Sunday, October 30 at a lunchtime ceremony at the Banqueting House in Whitehall. The re-launched annual Theatre and Theatre Management Awards are given to honour creative excellence and the outstanding work seen on stages throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Produced in association with Brecon’s Theatr Brycheiniog, where it opened earlier this year, MTW’s production of Turnage’s contemporary classic has collected unanimously glowing reviews throughout its countrywide tour. The Observer’s critic commented: “This brilliant chamber opera…still retains all its excoriating force in Music Theatre Wales's compact new staging”, while The Guardian’s critic declared: “it's a compliment to say it sometimes feels like an operatic Eastenders special.” There are just three chances left to see this exceptional production on the current tour: Tuesday, October 11 - Aberystwyth Arts Centre Wednesday, October 26 - Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield Thursday, November 10 - The Riverfront, Newport It was with Greek, commissioned by Hans Werner Henze for the Munich Biennale in 1988 and based on a play by Steven Berkoff, that the young Mark-Anthony Turnage first burst on to the international scene. The young composer’s wide frame of stylistic reference – ranging from rock and jazz to high-art – and his vivid dramatic gift have made Greek into a contemporary classic. Within 18 months of its premiere, the opera was presented by the Edinburgh Festival, on BBC TV and by ENO, and has since been seen across the world. In Michael McCarthy’s new production, Michael Rafferty conducts the Music Theatre Wales Ensemble in a musical score that runs the gamut from football chants through snatches of jazz and rock to passages of real lyricism. The cast includes baritone Marcus Farnsworth as Eddy, the opera’s seedy, restless protagonist. Soprano Sally Silver sings the role of Mum, mezzo Louise Winter is Wife and baritone Gwion Thomas sings the role of Dad. In keeping with the production’s mood of rough physicality, they also play a number of other roles. The opera is designed by Simon Banham, with lighting by Ace McCarron. Music Theatre Wales’s new production of Greek is a timely revival, coming in the same year as the premiere of Turnage’s latest opera, Anna Nicole, at the Royal Opera House. |
| Music Theatre Wales web site: musictheatrewales.org.uk |
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Monday, October 3, 2011 |
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