Theatre in review: South Pacific, Anna X and ‘country-comedy’ opera L’amico Fritz
Just to see ‘a large cast dancing and singing its lungs out feels like witnessing an act of rebirth’
“My, how I’ve missed the gladdening sight and pulse-quickening sound of a major American musical done to perfection,” said Dominic Cavendish in The Daily Telegraph.
Daniel Evans’s “enchanting” and “seductive” staging of South Pacific at Chichester Festival Theatre is a flat-out triumph. Leads Julian Ovenden and Gina Beck are both first-rate. The racial aspects of the plot are handled very sensitively, and without sacrificing wit and buoyancy. And just to see “a large cast dancing and singing its lungs out feels like witnessing an act of rebirth”.
I’ve never before been seduced by South Pacific, with its “sumptuous score” and “ghastly action”, said Susannah Clapp in The Observer. But this “glorious” version made me think, for the first time, that Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical “really may, as has always been claimed, not be besmirched by racism and misogyny but be tackling them”. Truly an enchanted evening (until 5 September).
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Anna X, at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End, is “frenetic, fun and ultra-cool” – and dazzling in its “ambition, originality and execution”, said Arifa Akbar in The Guardian.
Joseph Charlton’s “slick and intelligent” two-hander, about a con artist who rips off a tech entrepreneur, is loosely based on the story of the “fake heiress” Anna Sorokin. Emma Corrin (“excellent” as Princess Diana in The Crown) and Nabhaan Rizwan are both “superb”: she emanating “steely cynicism”; he “loveably gullible” – but it’s the set and video designs that blow the mind.
Anna X deploys “such sophisticated – and stupendous – video projection techniques that it feels like a reconceived theatrical form” – a mash-up of film, pop video and “happening”. Let’s hope that Charlton (a successful TV writer) continues to write for the theatre, said Paul Taylor in The Independent. He’s a major talent (until 4 August).
Pietro Mascagni’s charming “country-comedy” opera L’amico Fritz is a “musical flummery” as “toothsome” as its cherry-orchard setting – all “sharp-sweet dissonance, heavy with some really sumptuous duets and a stirring intermezzo”, said Alexandra Coghlan in The Daily Telegraph. Verdi called it “the worst libretto I’ve ever seen”, but “since when has a lack of real conflict been a barrier to success for a romantic comedy?”
The piece is a favourite at Opera Holland Park, where Julia Burbach’s new production boasts a cracking cast, and a reduced City of London Sinfonia sensitively captures the work’s tender string writing and folk-infused melodies. “It’s froth, but deliciously served” – and “delivered with a final sprinkle of pink confetti, this is opera without tears, and none the worse for it” (until 31 July).
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - March 16, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - pointed commentary, Haiti in trouble, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 hilarious cartoons about the RNC's MAGA takeover
Cartoons Artists take on RNC funding, Lara Trump, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Trump's presidential run: a bad bet for Republicans?
Talking Point The GOP is taking a 'big gamble' on former president's 2024 White House bid
By The Week UK Published
-
Properties of the week: properties with income potential
The Week Recommends Featuring a converted windmill and a country house with medieval origins
By The Week UK Published
-
Angelica Kauffman: 'shrewd and entertaining' exhibition
the week recommends One of two female founders of the Royal Academy, time was 'not kind to her reputation'
By The Week UK Published
-
High & Low: John Galliano – rise and fall of the 'ignominiously sacked' fashion genius
the week recommends Forced out of Dior in 2011, he has since engaged in a 'process of rehabilitation'
By The Week UK Published
-
Starter for Ten: 'very fun' musical adaptation of One Day author's debut
the week recommends 'Top-notch' cast combined with 'energetic and fun' songs makes for a 'feel-good' show
By The Week UK Published
-
6 well-thought-out homes with libraries
Feature Featuring a Tudor Revival in Texas and a condo with illuminated bookshelves in Illinois
By The Week Staff Published
-
Rebecca Serle's 6 favorite books about interpersonal relationships
Feature The best-selling author recommends works by J.D. Salinger, Dolly Alderton, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Príncipe: an island paradise off the west coast of Africa
The Week Recommends The remote island isn't easy to get to, but the journey is 'well worth it'
By The Week UK Published
-
Recipe: pistachio, lemon and coriander seed cake
The Week Recommends The unconventional coriander seeds 'make the flavours sing'
By The Week UK Published