The Marriage of Figaro

I encountered this production in Dandenong last year, at the start of another tour of the country. With another invitation to review, I thought it might have been a new production, but it wasn’t, and many of the performers were retained.

It worked very well with an Australian translation and scenery. The period costumes didn’t quite fit, but no one minded. I don’t recall Cherubino rifling through love letters from his girl-friends to find his commission last time, so that was a welcome innovation.

I was pleased to encounter Andrew Jones this time. He played Figaro at the Arts Centre a couple of years ago, and in this smaller venue his big, rich voice was a constant delight. He also retained the cheeky grin which made his Figaro so likeable.

Suzanne Shakespeare looked gorgeous as Susanna and sang beautifully, though her voice was sometimes swamped by colleagues. Christopher Hillier was a vocally impressive Count.

Bass Adrian Tamburini, the alternative Figaro, was hilarious as the gardener, with a broad English accent. James Egglestone, well known in romantic tenor roles, was a revelation as Don Basilio/Don Curzio. He was almost unrecognizable in the different roles and very funny.

The other principals from the previous production, Olivia Cranwell (Countess), Steven Gallop (Bartolo), Kristen Leich (Marcellina) and Agnes Sarkis (Cherubino) all did well.

The Geelong Youth Choir sang the choruses, with some help from alternative principals, and performed confidently. The small orchestra sounded a bit thin at times, but did well. There were occasional lapses in ensemble.

The theatre was near capacity and I’m sure this production will be welcome all around Australia.

Graham Ford

Photographer: Jeff Busby.