Hull New Theatre – until 2nd April 2022
Reviewed by Catherine McWilliams
4****
Opera North’s production of Bizet’s Carmen is simply stunning, a spellbinding, heart-breaking performance with a good dash of humour. However, this production does not shy away from the realities of Carmen’s life, with various characters taking coke and the smuggling of drugs. Director Edward Dick has created a realistic piece where all the elements come together to make a performance which will reach your ears, your eyes but above all your soul, as the emotion pours off the stage.
The scene is set in a seedy night club with a large neon sign saying “GIRLS”, it is full of bored soldiers passing the time whilst waiting for the girls to dance for them. Carmen (Chrystal E. Williams) makes one of the best entrances I have seen as she descends to the stage on a swing, swathed in an outrageous red burlesque outfit. From the moment she enters the stage it is impossible to take your eyes off her. Chrystal E. Williams’ portrayal of Carmen is played with coquettishness, naughtiness and a fierceness as she refuses to back down from the men she comes across. Her voice is beautiful and full of emotion and she inhabits the part with her entire body, often expressing something with her eyes or a simple body movement. She is simply sublime and is the pivot of the performance. However, this is definitely not a solo piece as all the cast create the story, each adding their own part to the tale.
Sébastien Guèze is a very convincing Don José, particularly in Acts Three and Four when Carmen no longer wants him and he descends into jealousy. The final duet with Carmen when she is battling for her life is riveting, their voices blending beautifully, you almost don’t want to watch and at the same time the music will just catch you in the pit of the stomach. I felt totally wrung out as the curtain came down.
Micaela is performed superbly by Alison Langer, a complete contrast to Carmen as she is a quiet timid character but what an outstanding voice she has and what emotion is portrayed as she sings.
Escamillo is played wonderfully by Phillip Rhodes, with the swagger of an Elvis performing to his fans, he laps up the adulation. “Votre Toast” (the Toreador Song) was of course a highlight and a delight to watch and listen to.
It was wonderful to have a full orchestra performing last night, ably led by Anthony Kraus, the music filled the theatre. A total joy.
This is a real feast for the eyes as well as the ears, and the first half has some very visual humour, which is added to by Laura Hopkins’ very clever costumes. Edward Dick’s set design is simple but so effective and the lighting by Rick Fisher helps to create an atmospheric piece.
The music is of course always going to be the star in Carmen and it was beautiful but the important thing for me was that this was performed, the cast told the story of Carmen and took us all along with them. The sleaziness and hardness of Carmen’s life was so clear but so too was the laughter that is often to be found when times are hard.
I would like to think that life has moved on since Carmen was first performed in 1875 but Opera North’s production emphasises the link to current times with our problems with county lines and trafficking and it made me realise that Carmen is actually about domestic abuse, about the man who cannot let anyone else have the woman he “loves”.
Opera North prides itself on being accessible and last night’s performance had a British sign language interpreter on the side of the stage. Sadly, I don’t know his name as it was wonderful to watch his lyrical signing.
This is performance with outstanding storytelling, sublime music, humour and tragedy – definitely one to catch if you can.