| “Nothing If Not Adventurous In Choice of Challenging Work” |
At Mid Wales Opera |
| Trouble in Tahiti- Mid Wales Opera , Wyeside Arts Centre , November 30, 2025 |
The valiant MWO continues with another small stages production employing a similar formula to the highly successful, moving and entertaining “Pagliacci” of last year, a short opera which came hand in hand with a cabaret like show of clown and circus inspired songs by a range of popular and classical composers in the second half of the evening.So here we have “Trouble in Tahiti”, a short opera by Leonard Bernstein, coupled with an after interval melange of Great American Songbook hits which chime perfectly with Bernstein’s jazz and musical theatre inspired score and further utilise the brilliant music ensemble of seven, principally brass and woodwind instruments, with the addition of double bass, percussion and timpani and Jonathen Lyness conducting from the piano. MWO are nothing if not adventurous and game in their choice of challenging work with problems to solve in staging small-scale, whilst still giving the full experience to audiences across Wales. In Trouble in Tahiti we are in the realm of 1950’s, post war, suburban America. The opening song, performed in front of a cartoons style, crooked house and tv aereals with crooked white picket fence - already setting us up for the humorous irony of the opera’s scenario - is “Suburbia” where the Trio (John Iwan Jones; Sam Marston – memorable from Pagliacci – and Kirsty Maclean) are two boy scout like figures in khaki uniform with big hats, big shorts and shirts, plus Maclean as a glossy ‘50’s style movie star in colourful print dress, are cavorting around the set spoofing what the perfect suburban America should be. This is The American Dream but we soon discover that behind this dream of impossible material perfection there’s a deep sense of uneasiness and lack of fulfilment for the two central protagonists, Sam and Dinah, in their struggle to achieve it. Dinah’s character (sung by mezzo soprano, Samantha Price) is softer and more nuanced than the brassy ‘50’s cut out she is trying to achieve. She worries about getting dinner on for hubby when he returns from the office, whilst going to her therapist, where she sings a very moving aria about her worries and sense of not being appreciated. Then she gives up and goes to the movies in the afternoon to see “Trouble in Tahiti”. Cue song about what a terrible movie but hey, what a great escape from the daily drudge. The Trio dance, sing and sway, boy scouts with bra’s and grass skirt over their Khakis. Then the boy scouts find comedy tending to a more serious Sam (baritone, Samuel Pantcheff), who is taking the afternoon off in the gym, trying to achieve the perfect man body whilst cultivating his toxic masculinity. The whole thing resolves in a funny, light hearted way. Those darker undertones are still there but not dwelt upon. The piece is thoughtful and entertaining and goes well with the cabaret style playlist of famous and not so famous American early to mid 20th century songs. It’s the less famous songs that are interesting, including a song from Bernstein’s “Candide” and songs by Samuel Barber and Aaron Copeland. I was particularly taken with Kirsty Maclean’s very decent crack at an Ella Fitzgerald staple, “Mr Paganini”, operatic scat singing and all (the song is said to be not about Paganini but about the legendary conductor, Toscanini). Despite storm Claudia, MWO’s faithful Wyeside audience was only down a little at Builth and warmly received this most recent offering. Not quite as moving as the Pagliacci programme but still a musical treat with great performances by everyone. Music direction (Lyness), stage direction and design (Richard Studer) and production team work are, as always, spot on. There are still opportunities to see this great little opera company: on Teusday 2 December at St Andrew’s Church, Presteigne; Thursday 4th December at Criccieth Memorial Hall and Friday 5th December at Neuadd Dyfi, Aberdovey. Picture: Matthew Williams-Ellis, courtesy of MWO The link below is a guide to reviews of productions. |
Reviewed by: Jenny March |
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