|
Review: Heather Metherell
Porcupine Productions played Mozart’s well-loved Opera,
Don Giovanni, with great enthusiasm and passion on Saturday, 19th
July.
Unfortunately the hard work and talent of the company was let
down by the venue in which they performed. Although the director,
Philip Haste, showed a great deal of resourcefulness in the unusual
setting of St. Augustine’s Church, nearly all sound was swallowed
by the acoustics of the building.
This was not helped by the position of the orchestra - who played
well - but were tucked away in the arches.
Peter Hine, a veteran of Opera and Oratorio, put in a great comical
performance as Giovanni’s servant Leporello - stealing the
stage from the lead, played by Graham Lawder-Stone.
|
 |
Nancy Mathis was in fine voice as Donna Anna, as was Sarah Tyler
in her commanding performance of Giovanni’s jilted lover
Donna Elvira.
Regrettably the chorus seemed to lack the zeal of the main performers,
which gave the production a slightly uneven feel.
That said everyone involved seemed to have a great deal of fun.
Churches can be interesting and effective venues for orchestral
concerts but were not designed for theatre, and the confines of
this venue made the production feel awkward. It would be great
to see Porcupine Productions perform Don Giovanni in a different
setting, so both audience and performer could enjoy every aspect
fully.
|
