La Traviata is usually translated as The Fallen Woman, but could also mean The Woman Led Astray, or even Her From Across The Road! (Tra = across, via = road, -ta = feminine ending.) Or perhaps A Girl Falls Beyond...
Opera On Location performed a modernised version of La Traviata in English in the Sheffield branch of Waterstones bookshop in Orchard Square last night. Alfredo, played by Gareth Lloyd, is an aspiring author. Violetta, played by Rachel Abbott, is a call-girl with HIV+ who is employed to cosplay a character from his latest book, a science fiction work whose launch they are attending. They fall in love.
After they have moved in together, Alfredo learns that Violetta has sold her collection of Marvel comics in order to support the two of them while he finishes his next novel, as she has given up her previous ways. But Alfredo's agent Germont, American baritone Greg Hoyt, points out to Violetta the morality clause in Alfredo's contract. Unless they part, his books cannot be published. Reluctantly, she dumps Alfredo.
Act 2 opens with a Games Night. Instead of gambling at cards, Alfredo, who was invited by mistake, beats them all at Super Mario. He confronts Violetta, raking up her sordid past and throwing his winnings at her. He leaves in disgrace, having insulted Violetta and basically made a right prat of himself.
Later, Germont has texted Alfredo from the successful American book tour to explain why Violetta left him. All is forgiven, but it's all too late. Violetta dies in her lover's arms. Sorry, was that a spoiler? You knew it was a tragedy, right?
Opera On Location's production is firmly set in the present, except Alfredo uses a typewriter! Mobile phones are used, an idea which may have been inspired by Sheffield City Opera's ground-breaking production of Donna And Her Mobile! Rachel Abbott starred in Donna, as well as in Women of Steel, another SCO first! And one of Gareth's first roles was with Sheffield City Opera!
Wonderful singing and (mainly) acting. I'll certainly look out for Opera On Location's next production.
I saw you after you had been to this production with two esteemed local politicians. You were all buzzing with the delight of what you had witnessed. Perhaps you should have invited the current manager of "The Banner Cross Hotel" along to the show with his bar staff. It would have been an uplifting cultural experience for them all.
ReplyDeleteWith a name like Tallis he should be interested in classical music. But if he and his staff went to the opera, who would run the pub?
DeleteI would happily man the bar. Free beer for everybody! That would bring the customers back.
Delete