Rehearsals for The Magic Flute last weekend (photo: OSE).

Opera South East presents Mozart’s Magic Flute

Opera South East will be performing Mozart’s ever popular opera The Magic Flute on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 April at White Rock Theatre. Here they preview the production.

The Magic Flute, Mozart’s humanist masterpiece, is more popular than ever. It is filled with Freemason symbols and references, and aims to show us the majestic power of art and music, a force that can change people and tame beasts.

This production takes on an international flavour, strongly fortified by a local chorus. Making their Opera South East debut are South African Fae Evelyn (Queen of the Night), American Mark Bonney (Tamino), James Williams (Papageno) and Marina Ivanova (Papagena).

Local professionals joining the production include Lucy Ashton (Pamina), Toby Sims (Sarastro) and Jeremy Vinogradov (Monostatos). Also included in the cast are Julia Bovee as First Lady, Philippa Thomas as Second Lady and Karen McInally as Third Lady. The Three Genii are sung by pupils of Claremont Preparatory School.

Children at the core

We are delighted that many young students from Theatre Sense, a Hastings-based theatre school, and Claremont Preparatory School are joining the cast for this production. All the magic and wonder of this production has been created by the children, in collaboration with the director and design team.

The children are at its core, they propel the story forward and introduce us to the magical characters within the opera. It is the perfect introduction to opera, especially for children, so do join us on our wonderful adventure as we explore this timeless masterpiece through the eyes of a child. Don’t miss it.

The Opera South East chorus and Sussex Concert Orchestra are conducted by Kenneth Roberts.

Pre-performance talk

Members of the audience are warmly invited to attend a pre-performance talk given by director Fraser Grant at 6pm on the Saturday in the theatre auditorium. This talk takes the form of a short presentation, then a question and answer session.

Fraser’s talk has proved a popular event in recent years and will give you an insight into how and why this particular production is presented in the way it is. A valid ticket for either night will ensure admission, for which there is no charge.

Opera South East presents Mozart’s The Magic Flute Friday 7 and Saturday 8 April, 7.30pm, at White Rock Theatre, White Rock, Hastings TN34 1JX. Tickets from the theatre or online at £21, £17 and £13 including booking fee (unless groups of eight or more, or WRT Friend). Concessions £2 off. Accompanied children under 16 free.

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