This opera comes as a breath of fresh air. If all opera were like this you would have to barricade the doors of theatres where it was played, for this modern libretto of Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro is superb. Chris Monks wrote the libretto and directed this production of the opera for The new Vic, Newcastle-under-Line, and turned most people’s perception of opera on its head. All you can say is you must go and see this production if it comes your way.

That is enough about how good it is now let’s tell you about the what goes on on stage. It is the conventional story of the supposed power of a president of a state and all that goes on around him. The wheeling and dealing, corruption and intrigues. Figaro wants to marry the president’s daughter, but the president does not want it. What happens to all those involved around him then makes for a great evening at the theatre. No, you are not getting the details, you have to go and see to find out the plot. Alright, just one incident, watch out for the secret service men and the statues.

The cast are marvellous and it is impossible to pick one member out so let’s go through them all. Phil Figaro is played by Dominic Colchester, his intended Suzanne by Fiona Dunn, the president Roger Le Conte by John Berlyne, Barry Ireland the president’s fixer Claude Close, Billy Joe and Harry Almond by Dylan Williams, Blair Diamond by Lucy Cound, Margo Virago by Carol Noakes, Toni Le Conte by Sarah Redmond and last but not least Mark Roper plays Arno Guano and Larry Diamond. All sing with perfection and pull out all the stops with their acting skills. Marvellous. Non of this could be possible without the musical accompaniment of four perfectionist musicians lead by Richard Atkinson with the help of Robert Shaw, Liz Brierly and Lucy Cound.

After seeing this opera you will be hooked, but finding something that comes up to this standard will be difficult. The audience did not want the show to stop when the cast took their bows. A long time had past in no time at all. Go see this piece of theatre at its very best. Great. © BA

“Marriage of Figaro” is in repertory at the Round in Scarborough from the 10th of September until the 28th of September, 2002.