King’s Head Theatre – until 26 October 2019
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
5*****
This brilliant new English version of Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore is a joint production from the King’s Head and Opera’r Ddraig, set on sunny Barry Island in 1982. Way before today’s ubiquitous coffee chains, most Welsh valleys villages had an Italian Bracchi (or three) serving fabulous ice creams and frothy coffee. Adina (Alys Roberts) runs her Bracchis on the island, helped by Gina (Caroline Taylor). Lovesick Nicky (David Powton) can’t find the words or the courage to tell Adina how he feels, so is fair game for the travelling quack Dulcamara (Matthew Kellett) who sells him a love elixir that he claims will make him irresistible to Adina. Nicky’s plans are scuppered by the return of Captain Brandon (Themba Mvula), Barry’s resident Casanova, who also has his eye on Adina.
The plot is gloriously silly, and Chris Harris and David Eaton’s lyrics are hilarious. The details in the Bracchi set got the Welsh people in the audience very nostalgic and some hilarious colloquialisms are included, along with lots of swearing. It’s Barry, and nobody there is going to sing “oh Dear”, so hearing the men calling each other twat and dick with voices soaring to the beautiful melodies feels gleefully anarchic, authentic and very, very funny. The cast all have incredible voices, but Matthew Kellett steals the show as Dulcamara – he has all the best lyrics and channels Groucho Marx and Delboy Trotter in his comic delivery.
This is perfect entertainment for opera buffs and newbies alike – stunning performances and charming, joyful, and daft – just lush.