CTO and UCT Opera Offer a Sneak Peek of IL VIAGGIO A REIMS, 26-30 August

Cape Town Opera and UCT Opera School present a sneak peek of their upcoming production of IL VIAGGIO A REIMS (The Journey to Reims). A restaging ot the Matthew Wild's 2010 production of Rossini's critically acclaimed zany comic opera, IL VIAGGIO A REIMS will be performed at the Baxter Theatre from 26 to 30 August for five performances only. Along with Wild, the creative team for this production includes award-winning choreographer, Sean Bovim; conductor, Kamal Khan; set and costume designer, Leopold Senekal; and lighting designer, Kobus Rossouw.

Set in a chic airport hotel lobby, fourteen fashion-loving B-list celebrities each suffering from a different extreme obsession find themselves stranded en route to a coronation. While waiting in transit, this interesting motley of self-styled European celebrities including a fashion crazed Parisian, a German music lover, a Russian Count and a famous Italian singer turn boredom and frustration into a highly entertaining melee as their on-going obsessions and flirtations - some edged with a tipple of alcohol - unfolds into arguments and fights that lead to panic attacks and even the odd fainting spell! Never before has the boredom of waiting in transit been more nuanced and entertaining than in this not-to-be missed comic opera.

View a special preview of this ovation-earning production here:

The company for this production will feature Raimondo Van Staaden as Antonio; Martin Mkhize as Prudenzio; Nomsa Mpofu and Noluvuyiso Mpofu as Cortese; Leah Gunter, Maudee Montierre and Lisa Thor as Folleville; Linda Nteleza and Janel Speelman as Corinna; Bongiwe Nakani and Lindsay Aldrich as Melibea; Vasti Knoesen and Abongile Fumba as Modestina; Amanda Meke and Zion Zuke as Delia; Levy Sekgapane and Esewu Silwane as Libenskof; Makudupanyane Senaoana and Khanyiso Gwenxane as Belfiore; Thobela Ntshanyana as Gelsomino and Zefirino; Bongani Kubheka and Johannes Slabbert as Sidney; Sandile Sikhosana as Alvaro; Siyabulela Ntlale as Trombonok; and Thato Machona as Profondo. A chorus of 28 singers will complement the featured roles.

See IL VIAGGIO A REIMS on stage at the Baxter Theatre from Tuesday, 26 August to Friday, 29 August 2014 at 7:30 pm or at the final performance on Saturday, 30 August at 6pm. Tickets priced at R 140 and R190 are on sale at Computicket. For further information visit www.capetownopera.co.za.