Nevill Holt Opera / Sage Gateshead

Credits

Director: Joe Austin
Set designer: Simon Kenny
Costume designer: Ilona Karas
Lighting designer: Matt Haskins
Choreographer: Lorena Randi

Cast

Figaro: Lawson Anderson
Susanna: Aoife Miskelly
Count Almaviva: James Newby
Countess Almaviva: Sky Ingram
Cherubino: Anna Harvey
Marcellina: Joan Rodgers
Bartolo: Stephen Richardson
Barbarina: Rowan Pierce
Basilio/ Don Curzio: Nick Sales
Antonio: Andrew Tipple

Reviews

Opera Magazine

“This production of Figaro was not only witty and intelligent, but also entirely at the service of the opera rather than a concept, or the director’s ego.”

“By chance I’ve seen several Figaros in 2018 and this one – thoughtfully directed, very well conducted and sung by an impressive ensemble cast – will remain long in the memory.”

Bachtrack ****
“Joe Austin’s ravishing new production”

“These days the sexual politics of Mozart’s operas make uncomfortable viewing, and Austin and his team did a good job of keeping us aware of this, without overdoing it, and strong comic acting throughout the supporting cast provided a foil to the opera’s darker side.”

Daily Telegraph ****
“A happy inauguration for Nevill Holt’s splendid new home”

Sunday Times
“This period production, with it’s sumptuous, brightly coloured costumes and crisp Andalusian trelliswork set looked pretty and was intelligently staged” 

Whats on Stage
“Austin staged with such clarity and zip”

MusicOMH ****
“There are a host of excellent touches”

The Stage ****
Observer ****