Orpheus in the Underworld

I was pleased to attend The Nomad Theatre last week for your production of ‘Orpheus’ and found it a pleasant environment with good facilities and comfortable seating. 

A bucolic scene opened the show and the correct, upright Calliope led the nymphs and shepherds in the first number. Calliope was elegantly played by Gill Eve.

Jacob Elsey made a very likeable Orpheus and has a wonderful singing voice - his timing was perfect along with matchless facial expressions.

As the fickle Eurydice, Katherine Winfield was first rate in both acting and singing.

I enjoyed their ‘Violin Duet’ and both she and Jacob had excellent diction.

Playing Jupiter, Paul Winder had the necessary authority for the importance of his role and he gave a good performance - oscillating from serious to flirtatious at the drop of a hat.

Jane Seymour has notable stage presence and was dynamic as his wife Juno. Try as she might she couldn’t dampen his interest in the ladies!

I loved the interpretation of Pluto, The King of Hades, and Michael Ayres played the role as though he were really enjoying it. His ‘leathers’ and other items of costume made him rather more attractive than he ought to be!

Diana also had an eye catching costume - loved the animal print -and Selena Edney sang well.

There were impressive vocals from Elizabeth Loveder as Venus and a really charming, refreshing performance from Maeve Hegarty in the role of Cupid. She moves beautifully.

The other named Gods all played their individual characters well and their splendid costumes left us in no doubt as to which of the Gods they were.

Josh Locke had fun with the role of Mercury rushing around to deliver messages and I liked Roger Thomas’ rather dozy north country Vulcan.

In Act Three we were introduced to the old retainer, Styx and Stephen Taylor played the part strongly and sang well. He was sinister and lecherous – not someone you’d want to meet on a dark night!

Chorus singing was good.

All of the costumes were really splendid.

Character make up was striking – there’s no-one listed as ‘makeup’ so I assume the cast did their own – well done!

Scenery throughout was impressive and the furniture and properties particularly good.

The library was great and the steps up to the throne made for more interesting setting of the cast.

The cloud projection onto the gauze worked superbly and the snakes were most realistic!

The balcony was used to skilful effect for the Balloon scene.

Lighting was atmospheric and the sound was good.

Samantha Potten’s choreography was fine in the chorus numbers but the minuet steps were not definite enough. The Can-Can was also quite simple and four ladies would have been enough.

Orpheus has a very long overture and, whilst the musicians were undoubtedly proficient, the base sound was missing - some of the music required a bigger sound, but having said that Laura Brown made the most of her three musicians and led them strongly.

I especially enjoyed the song ‘Ha-Ha-Ha’ and ‘Cherchez La Femme’.

I know of the difficulties you had with this show but Jackie St Johanser took up the reins and produced an enjoyable ‘Orpheus’. The pace dropped a little in the first scene of Act 3 –but picked up as the Act progressed There was plenty of humour and good depictions of characters. I’m sure she was pleased with the result.

 

Your programme cover is attractive and the contents are interesting.

 

Thank you for inviting me to see ‘Orpheus’ and for your kind hospitality on the evening.

 

 

 

 

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