2 operas, 1 set, 0 shirts

Here's a clever way to shave a few quid off the budget. Welsh National Opera are going to use the same set for two of their new spring productions.  

Mariusz Trelinski's modern take on Puccini's Manon Lescaut comes fresh from La Monnaie. Trelinski also directs WNO's brand new production of Boulevard Solitude. Henze's opera is an update of the Manon Lescaut story, justifying the set-share from an artistic perspective as well as a financial one.

The big question - will the Cardiff audience be treated to the racier details of Trelinski's Brussels show (below)?

 

Comments

[Jonnie Ash]

Several years ago ENO used the same set for it's entire Autumn Season!

[manou]

My name in lights at last!

[PushedUpMezzo]

What set? Just a few strip lights by the look of it. And there's not much costume budget apart from the kinky boots and plastic mac. And the Warhol wig. They might as well re-use the Tudor Trilogy black panels as well.

[PushedUpMezzo]

You'll be wanting an Olivier award next! You really didn't need it - you're quite a legend already in these circles.

[villagediva]

Thanks for this IM -looks interesting. I have already booked for both. Now at least I know there won't be an overload of clutter or textile........

[villagediva]

Yes, I also think it's excellent to see your name in lights Manou! And I 'm not a bit jealous. I suppose they just thought that my name is a bit too long .............

[villagediva]

Thanks for this IM. It looks interesting (and a bit like an M&S knickers advert). I already have tickets for both shows. Good to know that there won't be an overload of clutter and textile......

[AntSm]

After the disaster that was the Tudor trilogy I shall be saving my money and staying at home!! The audiences for all 3 performances I attended were sparse and thinned alarmingly at every interval! WNO seem to be following ENO down the path of radicalism at any expense. It is the death knell of opera - just witness what has happened in New York!
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Intermezzo replies - What happened in New York was a shortage of funding; audience sizes were reasonably healthy.

[Deborah]

I wanted to see my name in lights, so I changed my name to "Emergency Exit".

I'll get my coat. Which is more than can be said for the singers in Boulevard Solitude.

[Nikolaus Vogel]

If only ENO had gone down the path of radicalism. Mediocrity is what I would call it, half-baked "radicalism" at best.

[michael]

oh, this is just a horrid production. the first act is completely robbed of its youthful esprit de corps - so essential to the plot. i recall act 2 having some transient amusing moments and strangely i recall little of the rest of the production - other than being infuriated that the monnaie would present such unmitigated crap with such talented resources at hand. and when i saw that this muck was a co-production with the wno - well i just could not fathom the wno clientèle tolerating such a cruelly blatant assault. surely, i thought the powers that be wouldn't allow this to pollute their stage...guess i thought wrong.

[villagediva]

Thanks for the warning Michael, but I'm going anyway! Maybe I'll let you know what I think in February, if you're still interested. I have just been marvelling at the diametrically opposed reactions to Curlew River at St Giles Cripplegate (Telegraph and Classical Iconoclast).... Subjective or what? So I'll go to Cardiff with an open (and hopeful) mind. I do at least like the red PVC mac.......

[michael]

well who knows?-you may perhaps really love it. i just can't recall being so insulted/infuriated with a production. would love to know what the singers opinion was - perhaps when one is actually in rehearsal/performance they're not aware of the devastation being done to the work. but as an audience member i felt the director was pelting me with ____ and grabbing my euros at the same time.