INDEPENDENT OPERA at Sadler's Wells

The Sofa and The Departure

Reviews

The Stage

The Sofa/The Departure

by George Hall

‘…Not much notice has been taken of the centenary of the birth of English composer Elizabeth Maconchy, so the opportunity to sample two of her one-act operas is welcome…’

‘…what makes the evening worthwhile is the exceptional level of performance…’

‘…Alessandro Talevi’s productions are sharply defined, brilliantly so in the case of the comedy; … Conductor Dominic Wheeler gives each score detailed attention and dynamism…’

‘…But there are vivid standouts from Sarah Tynan’s Amy Winehouse lookalike Monique, Nicholas Sharratt’s energetic Dominic and Josephine Thorpe’s eccentric Grandmother; while the whole company carries the comedy off with tremendous verve…’

‘…Sharratt’s transformation into a sofa is marvellously done. Though the material is slender, both these productions deserve a longer lifespan…’