On Saturday last 8th June
v2013, I attended an excellent production of La Traviata at the Gaiety Theatre
Dublin, it was Directed and Designed by Lyric Opera Production’s founder and
General/Artistic Director Cav. Vivian Coates. Wardrobe Supervisor: Jeanette
Tumelty with Costumes
credited to Triple C Costumes and Flame of Torbay, Lighting Design by Alastair Kerr, Hair and Make-up
Design Ali Murphy
The scenographic interpretation and staged presentation worked a treat, the set, while being visually strong in making its statement; it was not intrusive but supported and anchored the space for the performance to take place in.
Collectively and individually the
performances were charged with emotion, energy and radiance, they were
spellbinding to witness and listen to. The concept of setting the story in
"Occupied France" was novel (to me) and the splendid design solution starting
with the unveiling of the set for act I, right through to the dramatic, heart
breaking end of act IV was more than satisfying. The edgy, "Berliner
Club" raunchiness of act III’s opening, with the menacing image of the
Nazi logo hanging in the background was riveting.
In this instance where Cav. Vivian
Coates is both Director and Designer the need for collaboration between Director
and Designer is redundant. But it must be said that “Director cum-Designer” does
not always work out to be as successful as it has in this case.
The Lighting Designer’s contribution is
immense in creating the appropriate visual ambiance and atmosphere and Alastair
Kerr’s Lighting Design did so in this production through colouring the dramatic
mood and tone of the moments in every scene and act.
Violetta’s dresses/costumes looked
stunning and were worn with great elegance. Overall the costumes looked well;
however some looked and appeared to wear as being of lighter fabric than the
original garment might have been. For comfort of performance, this is
understood but there appeared to be something distracting about the collar on Baron
Duophol’s German Army Officer Uniform!
There were some mixed opinions from
my companions on aspects of the costuming and props
The collaboration with the RTE
Concert Orchestra and the accommodation of an Orchestra Pit in the Gaiety makes
an immense contribution to the balanced aural enjoyment of the music, vocals
and instruments. And having said that, both the vocalists and the orchestra
were of accord and sounded super.
I am looking forward to Lyric Opera’s adventure with Dvorák’s “Rusalka” at the
Gaiety Theatre in September.
Cav. Vivian Coates: http://ie.linkedin.com/pub/cav-vivian-coates/37/990/75b
Alastair Kerr: http://www.ackproductions-ireland.co.uk/about-us
Triple C Costumes: http://www.tripleccostumehire.com/
Flame of Torbay Costumes: http://www.flametorbay.co.uk/
Gaiety Theatre at: http://www.gaietytheatre.ie/
Drawings or Photos will be added to
this blog soon.
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