Masque of Vengeance
Adapted from The Revenger's Tragedy (Middleton 1606) a fine cast of 9 singers brought to life this sleazy, bloodthirsty farce of an opera.
The Cockpit, London Tue 7 to Thu 9 November 2023 The Stoller Hall, Manchester
Sun 12 November |
Music: Edward Lambert
Words: Thomas Middleton (1606) Director: David Edwards Design: Tabitha Benton-Evans Movement: Jenny Weston Laure Meloy (soprano) Duchess Madeline Robinson (soprano) Virginia Leila Zanette (mezzo-soprano) Vindicio, often disguised as Caria Mae Heydorn (contralto) Gratiana Francis Gush (counter-tenor) Prince Lawrence Thackeray (tenor) Spurio Will Diggle (tenor) Vacuo Charles Johnston (baritone) King Christopher Foster (bass) Antonio Piano duet: Alex Norton, Adrian Salinero "If a revenger's wish might stand in force,
Would all those there were turned into a corpse!" We’re in a dystopian underworld of criminality, lust and murder. Vindicio is a young man played by a woman who, for much of the play, disguises himself as a woman. And that’s just the start. He has with him the death mask of his fiancée whom the King raped and murdered; he seeks revenge, but is intercepted by the King’s son, the Prince, who wants to bed Vindicio’s sister. So begins this deadly battle of wits which is over 400 years old - but which is a timeless indictment of corruption and evil in the corridors of power. |
production images: Claire Shovelton