Orpheus & Eurydice

I could be wrong but a standing ovation at a Saturday matinee is a rare thing… then again, the new production of Orpheus and Eurydice by Opera Queensland with Circa is exceptional so I understand the surfeit of emotion enticing people to stand up and applaud!

Sitting in the Playhouse at QPAC, I had to pinch myself several times that I was in fact in Brisbane and not at opening night of the Edinburgh Festival or an even more hipster venue in somewhere like Berlin or Rotterdam or Helsinki.

What I’m trying to say is that this was one cool opera, or circus, or circopera or whatever you’d like to call it.

I’ve been a fan of Gluck’s opera ever since I no doubt butchered the Dance of the Blessed Spirits on flute as a kid.

This production is the opposite of a butchering with every element schmick and sleek: exceptional staging, clever lighting, amazing set and even imaginative surtitles (yes, when was the last time the surtitles made it into a review as an outstanding feature?) combined with the incredible performers from Circa cement this as 90 minutes of pure pleasure to watch.

Orpheus and Eurydice is a simple story.

I’d say it’s about a woman who unfortunately died (but was happy in the afterlife) being stalked by her Stage Five Clinger of a boyf who just couldn’t let go.

Even given a second chance by Love herself, Orpheus can’t seem to manage the ONE JOB he had of not looking back.

Sure it makes for a great lament in “Che farò senza Euridice?”, but seriously, one job mate.

I really can’t recommend this production enough!

And I just can’t wait to see what Opera Queensland does next!