La Périchole

This was my first review of an operetta and Offenbach’s La Périchole proved to be a good introduction. A somewhat quirky operetta but full of delightful foot tapping tunes,

Set in eighteenth century Peru, the story is of two street singers who are too poor to marry, so she – La Périchole, takes up an offer from the Spanish Viceroy to become his Lady In Waiting. Meanwhile her boyfriend, Piquillo, is hoodwinked into marrying the unknown woman who has taken up this Lady In Waiting position!!

Fine singing performances from Sheila Smith (La Périchole) and Jayne Butler (Dona Inez) with good supporting roles from Anne Wooley (Dona Serafina), Mike Rawlings (Piquillo), Adrian Peakman (Don Andrez), Geoff Silk (Count Cigarillos), Julian Souter (Baron Pantatellas) and the up and coming talented John Sheard (Don Felix).

Mac Hammond (The forgotten Prisoner) gave a master class in how to get the most out of a minor role!

The 13 piece orchestra was excellent, although did at times overpower some of the dialogue due to the production not using a sound system.

This also made it difficult to hear the dialogue in places especially for those sitting at the back of the auditorium.

Coincidentally, some of the accents did seem a little bit out of place, but all in all, an enjoyable evening enjoyed by a full audience.

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