The Pied Piper

Three weeks after Cinderella, Victorian Opera introduced another opera for children with Richard Mills’ version of The Pied Piper. Set in the Australian town of Hamelin, this was a variation on the well-known fairy tale, with a different ending.

Apart from the principals, the production involved a number of children who performed as either rats or school-children. Also assisting was an ensemble of community choristers. What a great experience for them!

This opera was clearly written for the protagonists on stage. This became obvious when the Pied Piper, Colombian tenor Carlos Barcenos, singing beautifully as always, came on singing in Colombian with a cat as his translator. Very appropriate and very funny. Music Theatre performer, Stephanie John, was a delightful cat, making all the right moves.

Nathan Lay and Fleuranne Brockway were Mr. and Mrs. Mayor, and suitably nasty. Jacob Lawrence had a lot to do as the Town Crier. Kirilie Blythman as the Lolly Shop Owner, and Elizabeth Barrow as the school teacher also did well.

The lighting was very good, the costumes colourful, and the minimalist set will be easy to transport, as well as being effective. The small orchestra did well, and I loved the sounds they came up with when the rats entered.

The only problem I had was the diction. High sopranos always have difficulty being understood, and I suspect rescoring for lower voices would help this.

It was a highly entertaining show.

Graham Ford

Photographer: Charlie Kinross.