Leeds Grand Theatre – until 22 October 2025
Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood
4****
Opera North and Phoenix Dance Theatre, collaborate Susanna in Opera North’s 2025/26 season. This is the fourth collaboration by both companies and their last collaboration was the Requiem, Journeys of the Soul in 2023. Susanna is a three-act oratorio, the story being told by voice and movement, in this production. Susanna is composed by Handel and premiered in 1749 in London.
Susanna, known as Susanna and the Elders, is a biblical story, set in 6th Century BCE and the community at the time were in exile. Susanna (Anna Dennis) is married to Joacim (James Hall) however the two Elders (Colin Judson and Karl Huml) in her community are infatuated with her. They take the opportunity to make their moves to pursue her when Joacim goes away on business. Consequently, Susanna, despite resisting, is accused of adultery and sets to be defended by Daniel (Claire Lees).
The question of the Elders’ lies and denials and Susanna’s truth are addressed as the story unravels. Key themes are explored in the production such as oppression, abuse of power and injustices by those in authority particularly towards women, systemic corruption and combined with the hope for redemption and vindication. Handel’s ingenious musical composition, conducted by Johanna Soller, cleverly integrates with storytelling and supports the singing and dancing from both Opera North and Phoenix Dance Theatre.
The collaboration of both song and dance gives an opportunity to see how the story is told in different perspectives including the emotive deep themes as well as the main narrative. The production is well put together by Olivia Fuchs, director, and choreographed by Marcus Jarrell Willis. Zahra Mansouri’s sets and costumes and Jake Wiltshire’s lighting supports the contemporary staging and eclectic ambience of this production. Excellent portrayal of Susanna by Anna Dennis and Joacim by James Hall and she is supported by the cast including dancers from Phoenix Dance Theatre and singers from Opera North under the baton of Soller.
To celebrate access and inclusivity, British Sign Language, is creatively incorporated into the production and a BSL performer, Tianah Hodding, contributes to the story telling and its emotional nature.
Susanna is a successful collaboration by both Opera North and Phoenix Dance Theatre and both can confidently combine this classical oratorio to storytelling through voice and movement which the themes resonate so much today.