- OperaUpClose
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A scene from the OperaUpClose 2009 production of La bohème
OperaUpClose is a resident opera company at the Kings Head Theatre London (also called "London's little opera house". It started at The Cock Tavern Theatre in the Kilburn area of London, notable for its debut production there, a modern adaptation of Puccini's La bohème.[1] La bohème opened on 8 December 2009, and ran for five months, making it one of the longest-running continuously performed productions of La bohème.[2][3] The production, featuring a new translation by its director Robin Norton-Hale, was noted for its relocation of the audience to the pub area of The Cock Tavern for the second act,[4] using the pub and its customers to represent the opera's Café Momus. Using a single pianist instead of the traditional full orchestra, minimal sets, and a cast of young singers at the very start of their careers resulted in ticket prices which were a fraction of the cost of full productions in London's opera houses.[5]
The OperaUpClose La bohème transferred to the Soho Theatre for a further 5 week run from 27 July 2010 and was the first opera to play at the theatre since its opening. The Soho Theatre production won the 2011 Olivier Award for best new opera production.[6]
Notes and references
- ^ Moss, Stephen (December 15, 2009). Sydney Morning Herald. Opera has the last shout as Boheme hits the boozer. Retrieved 27 May 2010. (reprinted from The Guardian, 3 December 2009)
- ^ Woolman, Natalie (12 March 2010). "OperaUpClose’s La Boheme to open at the Soho Theatre". The Stage. http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/27519/operaupcloses-la-boheme-to-open-at-the-soho. Retrieved 3 June 2010.
- ^ Note that Woolman in The Stage termed it "the longest-running continuously performed La Boheme of all time". However, this is inaccurate. Baz Luhrmann's production of La bohème at The Broadway Theatre in New York ran continuously for 6 months with a total of 228 performances. See La Bohème on the Internet Broadway Database.
- ^ "Puccini's La Bohème performed in London pub". London: Telegraph TV. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newsvideo/6808301/Puccinis-La-Boheme-performed-in-London-pub.html. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
- ^ "La bohème (Kilburn)". whatsonstage.com. 1 Jan 2010. http://www.whatsonstage.com/reviews/theatre/opera/E8831262355018/La+boh%C3%A8me.html. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
- ^ Laurence Olivier Awards (official website). List of winner 2011
External links
- Dromi, Uri, "From romance, to war, to Mammon. An unforgettable holiday sampling of the bounty of London's stages", Haaretz, 8 April 2010.
- Moss, Stephen, "OperaUpClose: Puccini in the pub", The Guardian, 3 December 2009 (contains production photos)
- Shore, Robert, "OperaUpClose takes Puccini to a pub. Now that really is bohemian", The Times, 27 December 2009
- Cock Tavern Theatre official website
- What's On Wales Interview
Categories:- Opera company stubs
- British opera companies
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