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Foxy lady fulfils her promise
Julian Boyce as a dog and Sophie Bevan as the Vixen. Pictures: Catherine Ashmore The Cunning Little Vixen Welsh National Opera Birmingham Hippodrome ***** IT FEELS like spring has finally arrived
with this colourful and imaginative production by Welsh National Opera. Nature's bounty is everywhere from emerging
flowers to baby animals as the action romps its way across a meadow
scene. And fecundity is certainly at the heart of
Janacek's opera. The entire work is pregnant with it – from the foxes
making eyes at each other across the forest to the group of old
has-beens still discussing their hopes in love. When the Vixen Sharpears and her husband fill the
stage with fox cubs it is a fulfilment not just of their need to
reproduce but of the very cycle of nature which means that life goes on
regardless. Janacek's opera is broad in scope brining in
themes of the domination and liberation of women, capitalism versus
socialism, sexual exploitation and even animal rights. And yet it never
becomes pedantic. Even when Sharpears is berating Badger for his
smug riches and the fact his sett could actually home three people it is
laced with humour rather than didacticism. Directed by David Poultney with this revival by
Elaine Tyler-Hall, the production never lets up pace. There is not a
moment when something is not happening. And Maria Bjornson's set is a
feast for the eyes. It is simple and yet totally effective, as a green
backdrop moves into winter simply be being covered by giant white sheets
and then back into spring by removing them again. A handful of bright
flowers and we know we are moving season again.
The costumes are just wonderful – from the
Vixen's cheeky flapper dress and leggings to incredibly intricate
representations of a range of creatures from crickets to caterpillars
and hares to hedgehogs. Everywhere the production is bursting with ideas
– such as the Owl, Woodpecker and Jay sitting and knitting in their
rocking chairs in the sky. Sophie Bevan is charming as the Vixen – winsome
and loveable yet just that little bit cruel when it suits her. Her duet
with Sarah Castle as the dog Fox is captivating as she stands of the
verge of sexual awakening and is not quite sure she wants to make that
leap. Forester (Jonathan Summers), Parson (Richard
Angas), Poacher (David Stout) and Schoolmaster (Peter Van Hulle) bring
just the right level of tired worldliness and humour as they nurse their
drinks in the inn and bemoan the missed opportunities of their lives. The children playing a host of animals are
fabulous, totally confident and capturing their characters wonderfully. And the orchestra, under the baton of Lothar
Koenigs really bring Janacek's score alive ensuring it also gains its
rightful place on the stage. Staging an opera such as The Cunning Little
Vixen, there are so many potential pitfalls and yet this production
easily escapes them, instead offering us a lively and entertaining show
full of vigour and fun Diane Parkes
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