Opera on the Run
The Perfect Picnic
By Ian Bloomfield and Tim Armstrong-Taylor
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Directed by Tim Armstrong-Taylor
Jermyn Street Theatre
15 January - 2 February 2008
A review By D.P. Phillips for EXTRA! EXTRA!
At the Jermyn Theatre, for the next two weeks, it is possible to find a story based loosely on A Midsummer Night’s Dream, set in contemporary England and with a backdrop of French impressionist painting. This might, at first reading seem like a bit of a dogs dinner; but Opera On The Run have a more than eclectic taste and the skill to weave them together into something rather lovely and very entertaining.
It’s not as if they stop there. Puppets, props and comic mime combine with the music of Mozart and a deliciously lively libretto for the pens of multi-tasking Ian Bloomfield and Tim Armstrong-Taylor (The latter also directing) telling a tale of a couple of couples. David, a recently redundant accountant with artistic tendencies, played with comedic clarity by baritone Tim Armstrong-Taylor, and his name-dropping significant other, Sarah, brought to us by the beguiling soprano Lynn Marie Boudreau, have been sent tickets to an opera performance in the park. Meanwhile, David’s ex wife, Rachael, delightfully presented by Cheryl Enever, prepares to perform a lead role at the event, accompanied by her new beau, celebrity designer, Michael, a pretentious womanizer and wine snob, rendered hatefully well by Ian Bloomfield.
We get the opportunity to see and hear these middle class pairings bicker while getting ready to attend, or indeed take part. Once there, they are lead on a merry dance by ‘Puck’ so no one knows which way is up and lascivious thoughts fly around all over the place.
Clare Kinson’s borderline malicious Puck was a complete joy. With a host of wonderful guises, idiosyncratic ticks and affectations she had the skill and good grace to aid, rather than steal, the scenes she was in.
The set and staging were simple and efficient, the voices clean, diction crystal ….. and the opera …. Comic.
A salute must go out to Kelvin Lim who flies around an upright piano with effortless skill, bringing us a medley of Mozart’s greatest hits and musically supporting, solo, this very talented company.
I look forward to the next production by Opera on The Run with anticipation.
Jermyn Street Theatre, Jermyn Street, London SW1
Tue 15 Jan – Sat 2 Feb 2008
Tue – Sat 7.30pm, Sun 3.30pm
Tickets: £16.00 / £14.00 concs
Box Office: 0207 287 2875
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