Culture
REVIEW: WNO Così fan tutte at Mayflower Theatre
The Welsh National Opera (WNO) is back at Mayflower Theatre with their second piece of their Spring collection in the all new ‘Così fan tutte’. Technically speaking, ‘Così’ (as I’ll call it from now on), is an opera composed by Mozart that was first performed in 1790. WNO’s production is a completely new and updated twist on this – and I think it was the right one. Alternatively named, ‘The School For Lovers’, this version of ‘Così’ is set in the 70s following four sixth formers discovering what falling in love is and all the emotions that come with it. ‘Così fan tutte’ literally translates to “So do they all”, using the feminine plural (tutte) to indicate women. This basically paints all you need to know about this opera and in hindsight is incredibly important.
I’m starting to understand opera more and more, and in particular how WNO keep things fresh in trying to open opera’s doors to the masses. I think this adaptation shows this more than any of their productions I’ve seen so far. This Italian sung opera is said to be the perfect ensemble opera with six different roles almost equal in weight and performance, without an individual ‘leading lady’. As always, the show is accompanied with English surtitles and leaving the theatre I remember thinking that this is the first opera that I haven’t struggled to follow along with once. I always read a brief synopsis of the story before hand, and I think I would have still been able to follow along perfectly if I hadn’t done that. This is all thanks to the clarity in how the story is both set, told and directed – something director, Max Hoehn, should take high credit for.
Outstanding overall.
The way in which they have adapted this story is actually extremely clever. Reading about it before hand, all I could think was how dated and cringe worthy this was going to be – and don’t get me wrong, the themes and some of the things they were saying still definitely were. BUT, in the context of a 70s sixth form, it made so much more sense. It slowly became more relatable and more acceptable in its satirical form. To try and give some context to my review and summarise extremely briefly: Four students are given a valuable lesson in love, life and liberty when their teacher involves them in a secret experiment. Testing the limits of their love in a bet of temptation, the boyfriends leave and come back disguised to see if each others partners stay loyal to them or not. Yes, it is just as weird as it sounds.
As I’ve mentioned, the cast comprises of six people (and WNO’s brilliant chorus). As WNO have stated, ‘Così’ is probably Mozart’s opera that is most dependant on the chemistry of its performers, and their performers have smashed it. Making their WNO debuts were Kayleigh Decker as ‘Dorabella’, Egor Zhuravski as ‘Ferrando’, and José Fardilha as ‘Don Alfonso’. They were joining Sophie Bevan as ‘Fiordiligi’, James Atkinson as ‘Guglielmo’, and Rebecca Evans as ‘Despina’. Decker, Zhuravski, Bevan, and Atkinson were amazing as the sticky quad relationship. It goes without saying that their voices were just incredible, usually in operas there is a majority of individual singing but some of the harmonies I heard tonight were pitch perfect. As well as this, the emotions that they portrayed when they weren’t singing was amazing, something that really helped the story flow along so easily. The comedy and chemistry between them all was incredibly natural. I also really like that in Act 2, they all had their individual time to shine with big solos. Just amazing! Fardilha and Evans were also a fantastic comedy duo, that almost acted as the ‘voice of reason’, but also not in some crazy way. When WNO’s chorus came into play, there was a huge sense of musical theatre which heightened the whole value of the opera. Outstanding overall.
As for the set, it was actually very good! Reminiscent of a musical in many ways. The main bulk of the set was a 70s school classroom, with a heightened stage and chalkboard that slides to reveal a canteen. Not to forget those nostalgic wooden wall bars that I’m sure we all remember! Along with this were some brilliantly crude flats featuring modern day nods to phallic and sexual culture – we all know what the cherry and grapefruit mean… The moving pieces of set, like the lockers and desks were again very reminiscent of a modern musical and it worked with what they were going for. The lighting design was also very simple, but very effective. The change in colour to show emotion as well as day/night was very clever – and especially effective coming through the windows at the top, to only lighting half the stage creating the effect of a real window. The whole locker scene was also just bonkers, but in a good way!
WNO are smashing it and I can’t wait for their next instalment.
I’ve mentioned already how some of the language used throughout the opera was dated and would definitely not cut it in today’s day and age. I stand by this even if put in a comedic way through context. But if you were to take it out, you’d completely miss the point of the story. You have to remember that it’s from the 18th Century so it’s not going to be politically correct today. Saying this however, there was so much about this opera that I really enjoyed. For one, the comedy used was brilliant. The mixture of physical, slapstick, clever scripting/timing and subtle fourth wall breaks – all brilliant! There was a particular point when they used the chalkboard to draw a boat with two stick men waving, and the use of irony was staged and timed to perfection. I also really liked all of the whisper lines where they’re meant to be talking to themselves, but in effect are talking to the audience instead.
As always, the wonderful WNO orchestra played out some of Mozart’s most ravishing music headed by conductor, Tomáš Hanus. A live orchestra can heighten any story, and WNO do it perfectly. ’Così fan tutte’ is an opera that is over three hours long. This is enough to put anybody off, and I was really worried that you would be aware of how long it was going on as well. However, it flew by just like watching a movie. I actually wrote in my notes: come act 2, you had forgotten it was an opera and you were now instead watching the wildest, weirdest, and whackiest romcom of all time. There were more twists and turns than a rollercoaster or series of Friends (sorry for the cliché!). One major thing that I’ve taken from this production is that WNO are smashing it and I can’t wait for their next instalments. If you get the chance to watch ‘Così’ before it finishes for the season you cannot skip it, but if you don’t get the chance – find out when WNO are coming to a theatre near you and try open your eyes to an opera. You won’t regret it!
If something looks perfect from the outside does it mean it actually is?
That’s the concept that director Jay Roach brings to life in the new movie The Roses released in August 2025.
The Roses is a reimagining of the 1989 film The War of the Roses which was originally based on Warren Adler’s 1981 novel.
Although unlike the novel the characters instead are shown to struggle with their different careers either rising or falling.
It has been adapted, in my opinion, to make it resonate with women a lot more as in both the novel and first film the women were stay at home mothers who felt unsatisfied.
This appears to be one of the main reasons for the divorces with Barbara (Kathleen Turner) eventually turning to a catering business.
However, within the new modernised version Ivy’s (Olivia Colman) successful career is a point of contempt for Theo (Benedict Cumberbatch).
While it starts off with a more realistic depiction of parents struggling with the loss of a career and a start of a new one, it slowly divulges itself away from the typical divorcee movie.
I watched this movie at the Everyman (luxury I know!) and the grip it had on me as an audience member was outstanding.
With the selection of actors involved in this movie it’s no surprise that there is a mix of comedy and drama making it a satirical black comedy.
While it was delightful to watch, I feel that some audience members might criticise the realism of the movie.
Yet I go to the cinema to be transported from real life so the mix of realism and shock factor was highly entertaining.
A contrasting mix of comedy and darkness
The performances from the actors was exactly what the movie needed.
The chemistry, or lack thereof, between Colman and Cumberbatch was so believable that you would think that they were married in real life.
Their delivery of both the comedy and the rage was again so believable that it sucked me as the audience into what was the “dirty laundry” of their personal lives.
With a supporting cast including Andy Samberg, Allison Janney and others their characters mostly brought the comedy relief needed in to break the movie up.
They also gave us a contrast to the main relationship being shown which helped us recognise how some of the actions were exaggerated for our benefit.
However, some critics online have noted that while it is undeniably a satirical dark comedy, the dark comedy seemed to be held back some times, therefore not always giving it the edge it needed.
I think that for a 15 certificate movie it had just the right amount to stretch over its wide audience.
Another criticism that The Roses received was that the contrast between the comedy and cruelty was sometimes so abrupt that it didn’t hit as hard as it could have.
At some points the comedy seemed out of place which almost gave the film a sort of jarring feel as they changed between the emotions.
The ending is ambiguous which can have mixed reactions from the audience.
Some may like to have the movie tied up neatly at the end whereas others like that they can believe what they want to believe.
I am the latter in the case of this movie as I enjoyed the fact that I could believe either the more macabre ending or not.
To me the ending, without giving any spoilers, had me on the edge of my seat with a real 360 turn.
Again it had the perfect amount of shock factor and comedy which highlighted the overall tone throughout.
I felt that it drew the entire film together nicely especially with the ending performance from Coleman and Cumberbatch.
Winchester original artist Sam Bishop has been releasing music for almost a decade but after not releasing a new song for the last two years, Just a Little is set to be release this Friday, February 7th.
Sam first got into music when he was in secondary school, after watching Imagine Dragons in the O2 he fell in love with their support act.
As an only child he has always been a creative person, writing stories and songs in his free time.
The first thought has never been how can I perform live but how can I write?
Sam also enjoyed:”I enjoy feeling nervous but eventually acting felt like second nature, so I decided to give music a go.”
After getting into music in school Sam released his first song in 2016.
“It has been trial and error since with each year getting better and better performing and writing more.”
I asked him whether he has always written his own songs, and he explained: “The first thought has never been how can I perform live but how can I write?
“That’s the angle I attack music with.”
For Sam music has always been a way to express how he feels.
But what’s the best part of the writing process?
Well, for Sam it’s the feeling of a song coming together as a whole, he compared the writing process to a tap, that it slowly drips until it starts to flow.
“You get a melody and a good lyric. It feels amazing when it all comes together it’s so special, it’s definitely a process it takes time and trial and error.”
Sam’s new single Just a Little, is no different, going through this same process, and has now come together ready for its release this Friday.
It all started in last summer, when Sam was on a flight from Miami to LA, he wasn’t interested in watching the typical films you find on airplanes, and felt creative, this is where the chorus for Just a Little was born.
Being away from family for a prolonged amount of time through working away and travelling gave Sam the feeling of wanting to be connected and keep in touch with people’s lives whilst being away.
Just a Little is about questioning whether you’re enough.
It’s a song full of vulnerability and expressing that and truly allowing yourself to feel those feelings.
After Sam’s travels he got home and revisited the song, from there it started to take off and really build.
He sent the song to his friend Toby who he describes as an unbelievable guitarist, and an excellent musician.
Toby then worked on the song as a production, whilst Sam worked on the lyrics.
Just a Little was kind of a one off, as a process it was very natural.
By mid-November the song was finished and now is the time for its release.
This song has a different sound to Sam’s previous songs, and he’s excited for people to hear this new style of music from him.
“It’s a very personal song washed under happy and jolly music.
“It’s very current and popular; something you’d expect to hear on the radio.”
Sam hopes that that the release allows people to connect with not just the lyrics but how the song feels.
Following the release Sam has big plans for the next year.
This is the start of a new sound for him, and he hopes more songs like this will follow with maybe one or two before the end of the year.
There are also a number of gigs to be announced for the next three months that he is looking forward to performing.
At the end of our interview Sam said: “Songs will happen, it’s what I love to do it’s so expressive as an art form and it’s something I will always want to do.
“Just a Little was kind of a one off, as a process it was very natural.
After not releasing a song for two years, once the lyrics were finished and he got the song back from Toby he knew this was the one that this would be the re-release of his music as an original artist.
Just a Little is out at midnight February 7th.
For announcements of new music and dates of performances you can follow Sam on Instagram @sambishopmusician.
The wait is over for Winchester’s burger lovers, as a new Five Guys restaurant has opened in the heart of the city centre.
The American burger chain, world famous for its customisable smash burgers and seemingly bottomless fries opened on Monday, December 2nd.
It was a soft launch without any ceremony for the restaurant, but the new staff and management immediately had a growing queue of customers on their hands.
Five Guys has taken one of three units from the former Debenhams department store. The other two are Nando’s which opened last month and Pizza Express.
Founded in Virginia in 1986, Five Guys launched in the UK in 2013 and has become a popular choice for burger lovers, including celebrities such as Tommy Fury, Mollie King, Ed Sheeran, and Maya Jama.
There are now 1,800 restaurants worldwide including 171 in the UK.
The new Winchester branch is expected to be a popular addition to the city’s food scene.
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