What the Papers Said...

Review - Cavalleria Rusticana and Trial by Jury (from Hampshire Chronicle)

WINCHESTER OPERATIC SOCIETY
PERFORMANCE OF CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA & TRIAL BY JURY
AT THE THEATRE ROYAL, WINCHESTER FROM 10TH TO 14TH NOVEMBER 2009

The verismo opera, ‘Cavalleria Rusticana’ and Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘Trial by Jury’ are chalk and cheese, or perhaps grapes and cheese since they perfectly complement each other. ‘Cavalleria Rusticana’ has all the passion of Sicily where it is set, combining sex, religion and murder.

Interestingly, the director decided to bring these even more to the fore by showing Turiddu, the male lead (Tony Reid), leaving his lover, Lola (Carole Lilly) at the start of the opera and being knifed by Alfio, (Peter Barber), the wronged husband, at the end of the show, both episodes which usually happen off stage. This gave the action a more modern immediacy, in keeping with the new translation. However, one might have thought that the pregnancy of the heroine, Santuzza, (Kate Freemantle) for which she is excommunicated and should be shunned by the other villagers, could have been stressed more.

The singing of the principals was excellent and the chorus were full-throated and enjoyable, climaxing in the Easter Hymn while the amazing religious statues were being assembled and processed.

‘Trial by Jury’, in contrast, was an absolute riot! Brought up to date, with a long-haired, really dishy defendant (Peter Revis) in a white tuxedo and a truly delicious plaintiff (Georgie Bottriell) in a bewitching hat, it sent the audience away on a high. There were lovely comic touches from the loveable judge (Adrian Hickford), the excellently prissy Counsel (James Fitzgerald), the harassed Usher (Clive Hilton), the well-schooled jury and the ladies of the chorus who took over the parts usually sung by bridesmaids. Great fun!

Vara Williams