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!