|
|
|
|
|
|
Double descent into horror
In descent: Benjamin Bevan (Roderick) Joanna Jeffries (Lady Madeline) and Jason Bridges (Poe) Pictures: Stephen Cummiskey The Fall of the House of Usher
Welsh National Opera
***** THIS dramatic
double-bill featured two one act operas; Usher House by Gordon Getty,
which saw its world stage premier in Cardiff last month and its French
reflection of Claude Debussy’s incomplete opera La Chute de la Maison
Usher, reconstructed by Robert Orledge. Welsh National Opera
captured the essence of Edgar Allen Poe’s 19th
century gothic tale with two spectacular performances. It is a tale of a house with a dark and
terrifying history, in which all of its inhabitants fall under its deep
spell. In this, Edgar Allen Poe himself is a visitor to his friend,
Roderick, who along with his twin sister is a victim to the houses
chilling secrets and doomed curses. In both Opera’s the same outcome is
unveiled by two different journeys. Getty’s one act Opera, sung in English was a truly mesmerising experience. Every element of the performance would be sure to send chills down the spine. At first, the audience is exposed to a joltingly cold image of a single bird on top of a high building, with the silhouette of Jason Bridges as Edgar Allen Poe himself, giving a striking allusion to Poe’s work. This sets a haunting chill to the atmosphere for the story that is about to unfold. The set is an awesome element that makes the
chilling atmosphere seem all the more menacing. In both stories, we make
the journey in and around the house of Usher along with the characters.
Like Poe, we become a guest to the house, yearning to find out its
gruesome history and tragic tales of the past. Designer Niki Turner and David Haneke, designer
of Video Projection, create an authentic and magical setting that
exposes the dark horrors and secrets of the house. The characters look
small and helpless against the epic scale of the projections. Here it is
the house that casts its magic, as it has done for many centuries. The
indisputable knowledge that each character possesses is no match for the
power of the Usher house.
The atmosphere is completed by Getty’s
breath-taking music, conducted by Lawrence Foster. The orchestra were
faultless and an essential element of the plot providing the eerie
backdrop to Poe’s tale of terror. With a cast of five, including a dancer, each actor captured the intense emotion of their character as well as singing their role superbly. Poe, sung by Jason Bridges allowed us to see a remarkably sensible man, but yet with a sense of naivety, having no idea about the secrets of the ancient house. Bridges worked wonderfully with Jason Bevon, who
played his friend Roderick, owner of Usher house. Bevon, with excellent
command of vocals, showed us the truly terrifying nature of a character
marred by years of toil within the house. Kevin Short’s account of Doctor Primus was truly
menacing and a treat to watch. His villainous character was the perfect
contrast amongst the unsuspecting habitants. Doctor Primus was the only
character who seemed to know the cold truth of the house. The same wonderfully dark and powerful sense of
mystery was also captured within the second act with Debussy’s La
Chute de la Maison Usher. The second opera gave an even more dramatic
account of Poe’s tale. There was definitely an element of poeticism
being performed in French which gives exposure to the raw emotions
displayed by each character. David Pountney’s superb direction brings a
haunting tale to vivid and intense life. Elizabeth Halpin
20-06-14 |
|
|
Contents page Hippodrome WNO Reviews A-Z Reviews by Theatre Tweet |
|
|
|
