Die Fledermaus

An overture of well known music whetted the appetite of what was to come. The operetta Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss, first on stage in 1874, is a light hearted story of revenge set in early 20th century aristocratic society where boredom is offset by entertainments, all light and shade and duplicity and lots of laughs. The opening duet between the sweet voiced maid Adele and the keen tenor Alfred who is climbing through a window and serenading her to an assignation, and the following comic exchange between Adele and her employer Rosalinda as Adele fashions an obvious excuse to have a night off, set the scenario for intrigue and misunderstandings. The ladies are well matched as they tiptoe round each other both musically and psychologically. Rosalinda’s husband Eisenstein appears with his lawyer Dr Blind who seems to have failed his defence and landed Eisenstein with a punishment of eight days in prison. Cue an equally comic and well sung trio making fun of the lawyer. Then enter Dr Falke, Eisenstein’s uncle, a devious chap who persuades his nephew to avoid prison and attend Prince Orlovsky’s party. Falke engineers a series of ‘play acting’ in order to take revenge on his nephew for a humiliating trick of leaving his uncle dressed as a bat up stuck in a tree. And so Falke’s plan is set to unfold.

James McIntyre performed and sang his role as Eisenstein with skill and flair, showing a character conceited in his own ability to seduce but bested by his wife. With beautiful voice control and reaching notes effortlessly, Rachael Munro enacted a wordly and clever Rosalinda. Ivor Klayman gave a smooth performance as the personable and affable uncle but with a backbone of steel as he manipulated his revenge - with his delicious baritone voice blending well particularly in the trio song I Have A Suspicion. Laura Curran was well suited to the role of Adele and came into her own vocally with her delivery of Laughing Song My Dear Marquis. while Sebastian Penalver Figueredo’s lovely tenor voice really didn’t have enough to do but had his moment again in the finale of Act 1. Almost stealing the show was the Prison Governor Frank. George Nairne gave a wonderfully funny and bewildered performance in Act 3 and with sleight of hand with his hat, cane and coat delivered an experienced Here’s Your Health Your Highness. Margaret Sharp came across a bored but up-for-a-laugh Prince Orlvsky and delivered a telling Chacun A Son Gout. Minor roles were well delivered. All of the cast had stage presence and clear diction. The chorus got its chance to show its harmonies and style in What a Feast! What A Spread! and in both Finales. All was performed with a minimalist set of flats and props letting Strauss’s music be centre stage. This was a polished performance giving the audience much to enjoy.

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