Game Ellen sets the scene

“La Boheme” Palace Theatre, Manchester

Ellen Kent makes opera truly accessible, and this latest touring production is no exception.

This is the first time her new amphitheatre staging has come to Manchester, and the classical design does lend itself to a variety of eras and styles.

For “La Boheme”, we have 19th century Paris, and in turn the set becomes an artist’s studio — not a garret — the streets and cafes, a tollgate and back to the studio for the tragic fourth act.

On Saturday it will turn into a bull ring for “Carmen”, and it has already doubled as the Colosseum in Rome for “Tosca”, proving its versatility.

Ellen herself was at the Opera House last night, describing how she sourced many of the props, including a genuine battered metal bed from Moldova for Mimi’s death scene.

Game old bird, she’s 60 next, but shows no signs of giving up her self-funded productions, no Arts Council subsidies here.

The five major character parts — the four bohemian artists sharing the studio, poet Rodolfo, artist Marcello, Colline, philosopher, Schaunard, musician, and seamstress Mimi — are carried off well.

Irina Vinogradova is a sweet Mimi, with a mellow voice and good acting skills.

But Ruslan Zinevych was a rather short Rodolfo, his tenor voice sometimes coarse and forced.

Nevertheless, his rapport with Mimi, and the jesting with his poverty-striken friends was well carried.

Maria Tsonina made a striking, funny and moving Muzetta, Marcello’s estranged girlfriend.

The cafe scene was a hoot, the amphitheatre transformed by impressionist wall panels into a typical Parisian cafe, as Muzetta cons her rich sugar daddy into paying the bill for her impoverished friends, only to run back to Marcello’s arms.

The Chisnau National Philharmonic orchestra and chorus were excellent, the costumes colourful in the crowd scenes and suitably drab and tattered for the struggling artists.

“La Boheme” can be seen again tonight — tomorrow is “Carmen”, but Ellen Kent will be back again in March with “Turandot” and “Aida”.

JB