Nottingham Theatre Royal – until 18 March 2023
Reviewed by Louise Ford
4****
Nottingham was looking and feeling decidedly wet and wintry on Tuesday evening as we headed to the theatre for an evening of bucolic entertainment.
The Cunning Little Vixen Opera was written at the end of the First World War by Janacek. It is based on a very popular newspaper cartoon of the time. It is a story of the natural cycles of nature and life. On the one hand the animals, birds and insects gossiping and lazing in the forest on the other the dour middle-aged men full of regret and longing.
The story highlights Janacek’s love and understanding of nature and the natural world. It has stood the test of time and has some surprisingly “modern” ideas about feminism, freedom and liberation.
Whilst it is viewed as an opera the work includes dance, puppetry and spoken verse. This current production has its origins in the 1980s and was originally directed by Sir David Pountney. It has been revived for Opera North by Elaine Tyler-Hall (Associate Director and Choreographer).
The curtains draw back to show a rolling landscape (set and costume design by Maria Bjorson) with branches hanging down to create the illusion of the forest. In the branches there are suspended rocking chairs with birds watching the scenes unfold. The opening dance by the dragonfly (Stefanos Dimoulas) is light and ethereal, whereas the mosquito (Kamil Bien) is comedic with its bloodstained proboscis. The stage soon fills with all manner of animals, insects and birds. My particular favourite was the badger (Paul Gibson) all grump and whiskers.
On to the scene bounds the youthful fox Vixen Sharp Ears . Clad in red tights, black feet and russet hair. The adult role is played by Elin Pritchard . She is energetic, playful and has a wonderful voice.
The set works its way through the four seasons. The transition from winter to spring caused the audience to gasp and giggle! The set opens to reveal the dark and morose forester’s hut and the grey tavern.
The stand out scene for me was the hens and the cockerel. Vixen Sharp-Ears having dealt with the amorous advances of the dog (James Davies) turns her attention to the farmyard hens and cockerel. Their costumes and mannerisms are fantastic, comic and clever in equal measure. Sharp-Ears tries to liberate the hens. She talks to them about feminism and not being ruled by the cockerel. Sadly and all too predictably they don’t take her advice and well it doesn’t end well for the hens. A fox has to do what a fox has to do.
The three act opera follows the life of Sharp-Ears as she meets her mate, produces a whole load of cubs. Each one the spitting image of their parents, but too many to count! All the while she taunts and haunts not only the Forester (Richard Burkhard) but also the Poacher (Callum Thorpe). Eventually her luck runs out and she meets her end. However the circle of life continues with her oldest daughter emerging centre stage.
The production is supported by a full orchestra, spilling out into two of the boxes, conducted with great pace and enthusiasm by Oliver Randell.
My only disappointment is that some of the singers (in particular the younger cast members) sometimes struggled to be heard above the orchestra. This might have been because we were sitting in the stalls and consequently very close to the orchestra.
Fortunately our production had surtitles on two screens, which ensured we could pick up the lyrics.