Review: So long but hopefully not farewell as Carmen's sexual charms leave the Kings Theatre bewitched
AFTER a night of passion and sexual jealousy in Portsmouth, opera lovers will be hoping that this is really not the last time Ellen Kent brings her stunning productions to the city.
Last night’s superb showing of Carmen at the Kings Theatre in Southsea is part of the trilogy of performances which have been dubbed the long-standing director’s Farewell Tour. But, as Ellen hinted to The News earlier this month: ‘I may come back - you never know.’
And the audience - who stood as one to applaud the traditional, emotional singing of their national anthem after the stunning climax of the show - will certainly be longing to see Opera International, Kyiv, Ukraine, back on the Kings stage again.
Set in Seville, Bizet's Carmen follows Don José, a naive soldier seduced by the title’s fierce, free-spirited gypsy girl. José abandons not only his army post but his childhood sweetheart Micaëla to join Carmen and her smuggler friends. But everything begins to unravel with the arrival of heroic matador Escamillo.
Mariia Davydova and Hovhannes Andreasyan rightly steal the show as the beguiling but fickle Carmen - all seduction and passion - and her hapless lover. The scene where they reunite at Lillas Pastia’s Inn is electrifying.
Although her stage time is limited Elena Dee stood out as Micaela and there was strong support from Carmen' s two companions - Anastasia Blokha (Frasquita) and Liuciia Dun (Mercedes). With simple but effective backdrops evoking the stunning architecture of Seville, its main square and the mountains beyond, the chorus kept us entertained with their sexy cigarette and gypsy-inspired dances - along with a realistic catfight outside the factory - while there was an enjoyable appearance from youngsters from Stagecoach Performing Arts Portsmouth.
There is nothing like having a live orchestra in the pit and the musicians conducted by Vasyl Vasylenko provided the incredible accompaniment to Carmen’s bewitching Habanera and the rousing Toreador Song and’ Les voici la quadrille.’ But the most tingles to the spine come not through these more well-known numbers but in the dramatic conclusion as Carmen and Don Jose have their fateful meeting outside the bullring.
After a memorable night of opera in Southsea, set in Spain but performed in French, we just hope this is au revoir to Ellen Kent rather than adieu.