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Too
Hot to Handel is playing at
The Old Fire Station Theatre on
Friday September 12.
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Opera
Anywhere is an enterprising company of singers from the Oxford area.
They
show commitment, innovation and enthusiasm in all they do.
Too
Hot to Handel is their latest 'confection', combining the glorious
music of Handel with the slapstick humour of 'Up Pompeii'.
The
plot is somewhat complicated (but not always coherent) but provides
moments of farcical entertainment.
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| Too
Hot to Handel proved hot indeed for these two actors.
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Much
use is made of visual gags and the cast display great energy.
The
music of Handel can be very demanding for any singer. The vocal
performances were the strongest element of the evening. In particular,
Lucie Goodman sang 'Doppo notte' (from Ariodante) with panache.
Mention
must also be made of the elegant tone of Jeremy Bowyer and the delicate
control of Annabel Molyneaux.
Acting
is a challenge for many singers and I have to admit that, on the
evidence of this performance, it is something with which many of
the cast are struggling.
However,
Brian Todd was entertainingly larger than life as the comically
camp slave and Emily Campbell was suitably outrageous as the flirtatious
wife.
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| A
scene from Too Hot to Handel. |
There
was much to enjoy but not, perhaps, as much as I would have liked.
I do admire their dedication and wish them well for future projects.
If
they can find the right material, I am confident that
their undoubted talents will shine through.
By
Simon Tavener
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