The Gambler - Royal Opera House, 11 February 2010 (first night)
Richard Jones's production of Prokofiev's The Gambler is the Royal Opera House's first ever. It's a strange opera - no melody, no arias, more like a movie soundtrack with singers. Desperately hard work as a recording for all but the most devoted Prokofiev fans, it really needs a busy, intensely theatrical presentation to bring it to life. The music seems to accompany the action rather than defining or illustrating it, so the words are absolutely crucial.
It was a smart decision to present the opera in English, and even smarter to add supertitles - not all the singers had perfect diction. Or beautiful voices, come to that, but then this isn't bel canto - it's more about getting an economically-worded story across. Antonio Pappano's unflashy and well-paced conducting supported this aim with a sensitive ear for volume.
Richard Jones updated the action from the mid nineteenth century to some time in the 1920's, but apart from that, took few directorial liberties. Cleverly designed, well rehearsed, brilliantly acted - it was as good as the opera needs and some might say better than it deserves. Taken as a whole, it was an entertaining couple of hours, but pulled apart, it would be hard to deny that the weakest contribution came from the composer.
The action takes place in the German town of Roulettenbourg, a sort of Teutonic Vegas. This giant flashing Casino sign drops between acts to hide the scene changes:
(All photos by Clive Barda for the Royal Opera House)
***** story and loads more photos on next page *****
The first act is set in a zoo. Trunks and tails slip out from between the bars from time to time to remind us. The set is brilliantly constructed to be shorter at the back, giving an impression of greater depth:
Paulina (Angela Denoke) leans on the rail to toss peanuts down to the animals below (the horn section):
Alexey (Roberto Sacca) talks to Paulina's guardian and Alexey's employer the General (John Tomlinson), with the Marquis (Kurt Streit) behind. Paulina gave Alexey her money to gamble with, but he lost it all. Now he pretends it was his own. The sign on the podium indicates feeding time:
The General with his gold-digging mistress Blanche (Jurgita Adamonyte):
Feeding time has arrived. The man in the sea lion suit ('not in the score' - a Richard Jones addition) raised the biggest laugh of the night. Paulina has dared Alexey to prove his love by insulting a passing baroness - the ensuing fracas disrupts the feeding session:
Act II - in the hotel lobby. The General dismisses Alexey from his service after the baroness incident:
Random gratuitous character Mr Ashley (Mark Stone) explains some random gratuitous backstory to Alexey. See how the animal paintings on the lobby walls continue the zoo theme? V. clever Mr Jones:
The Marquis, looking evil. Both Paulina and the General (who's gambled away his inheritance) are in his debt:
More lobby:
The General has been hoping for news that his wealthy aunt Babulenka (Susan Bickley) has died and left him her fortune. Instead she turns up, dressed in bathmats:
Babulenka sees through the slimy characters who are just after her money, and delivers a withering put-down to each one, including the Marquis:
At this point there was an interval, from which a noticeable number of the audience failed to return. For anyone who hadn't been concentrating 100% or didn't understand English perfectly, the first half may have been a trial. The last two acts are less bitty and more coherent, musically and dramatically, so were easier going.
Act III - Babulenka returns from the casino - she has lost her fortune playing roulette (we are now in the hotel corridor):
See the animal pictures on the walls:
When the General finds out, he is distraught:
He tries to make Babulenka's steward let him in to her room:
And then he goes crazy. A classic JT mad scene, which almost upstaged the sea lion:
She shows him a letter - the Marquis is calling in the debt she owes him:
Alexey promises to win her the money she needs:
Alexey goes to the casino, keeps putting his money on red, and keeps winning:
You can't see the gaming tables properly from the stalls - for once the cheaper seats give a better view - but with the lighting and the fabulously garish costumes, this scene was spectacular:
Eventually Alexey breaks the bank:
The other gamblers are delighted for Alexey - they think he'll be back the next night and they can win their money back:
He returns to the room with chests full of cash:
They make love (Prokofiev decided to cut this scene right down, so it takes literally 2 seconds). Paulina realises Alexey is buying her love; she leaves:
Finally all those bestial references culminate predictably, as the room fills with gamblers in animal masks. What's that phrase about putting lipstick on a pig? :
