The Magic Flute Review
This performance of The Magic Flute was a spellbinding and fantastical journey into two kingdoms, where a battle of different worlds was brought to life by extraordinary characters. The whole production did full justice to Mozart’s most performed opera and had the audience totally entranced throughout.
I don’t often get to go to the opera and I was unsure whether I would understand the complex plot, (despite reading it beforehand), and the libretto.
There had been no need to worry. At the start of the performance the audience were welcomed with a warm speech about the aim of Opera North to be accessible and enjoyable for everyone, no matter their background. It was definitely the case as the words were in English and captioned at the sides of the stage. This was a huge help in engaging me and I’m sure others as well.
The Magic Flute’s plot is about a prince Tamino (Trystan Llyr Griffiths) who has to rescue Pamina (Sorya Mafi) from the evil Prince of the Sun, Sarastro (Justin Hopkins). Pamina is the daughter of the Queen of the Night (Anna Dennis) and lives a life in great contrast to Sarastro, who is also her mortal enemy as he was responsible for the death of her husband.
Aiding Tamino, in his quest is Papageno (Emyr Wyn Jones), a bumbling bird catcher who works for the Queen, killing all birds as she hates them. The magic flute from the opera’s title is given to Tamino to help him defeat Sarastro and his men, so then he can marry Pamina.
The plot twists and turns but the action starts with Tamino and Papageno having to fight a tentacled monster. They are saved by three of the Queen’s ladies, wearing bloodied white aprons. In return for the rescue the men must enter the Prince’s kingdom and become embroiled in tests and subterfuge, to win the love of their chosen sweethearts, Pamina and Papagena (Pasquale Orchard), respectively.
Both ‘heros’ are pitted against the Queen’s desire to have her daughter returned and fear for her safety and being drawn in to Sarastro’s male-dominated orderly court. True love wins the day and Tamino marries his bride and Papageno is united with Papagena.
The performance opens with a young girl in her bedroom and you are then taken on this magical journey as if in her dream – a device not in the original opera but introduced by the director, James Brining, who brought great, compelling contemporary themes to this production.
In the Queen’s realm there are bare trees, hanging with their roots exposed like tentacles above the ground, where danger feels just around the corner. With the comedic actions of Papageno in full throttle, this reminded me of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream forest scenes, which I love. This is a sharp contrast to Sarastro’s formal court with panelled walls, long tables like a Presidential palace and uniformed guards.
The whole set and costumes, designed by Colin Richmond, were stunning and the use of symbolism and nods to modern literature really enriched the look of the performance.
Women in the Sarastro world were dressed like characters from The Handmaid’s Tale, made even more poignant as one was pregnant. The men in that realm were in the smartest of uniforms and marched like an army on parade. Three young performers were outstanding as part of these scenes, which are played in turn by Maria Vasilache, Isla Jones, Isabelle Baglio, Harry Ndawula, Hazel Read and Hector Wainman.
There were great comic touches in the physical performances that made everyone laugh out loud and then the mood swung to become haunting and even disturbing in parts. I found a scene where Pamina is kept as a bound prisoner and almost assaulted, very apposite in today’s world.
The Queen of the Night’s performance by Anna Dennis was stunning. Her voice was perfect and she sang the famous Mozart aria in the second act particularly beautifully. All the cast gave crisp and superb performances but special mention must also go to Trystan Llyr Griffiths as Tamino, Emyr Wyn Jones, who wrung every possible laugh from Papageno’s lines and Sorya Mafi as Pamina. And, of course, the conductor Patrick Lange and his musicians.
This may have been an unusual trip to the theatre for me but I totally recommend seeing this and other Opera North shows. The company’s mission to bring opera to more people in the North is fantastic and this Magic Flute certainly enriched Newcastle’s cultural life last night.