The Cock Tavern Theatre Presents LA BOHEME December 8-January 23

LA BOHÈME is transported to the gritty realism of vibrant modern day North London from 1830s Bohemian Paris. The inspirational experience of Puccini's music is brought to an intimate staging with a young cast and chorus. This production has been conceived to make LA BOHÈME as visceral, funny, accessible and emotionally engaging for audiences as its first performance in 1896.

The timeless story of LA BOHÈME begins on Christmas Eve and revolves around Mimi and Rodolfo, profoundly in love but unable to find a way to make their relationship succeed. Mimi has moved to England from Romania and is working as a cleaner. She lives alone in a North London bedsit, amid a group of middle-class boys who are indulging in a carefree, artistic, Bohemian lifestyle; spending the little money they have on nights out and parties. When Rodolfo falls for Mimi, the group discover the complexity of living for love and art. Puccini's score is a rollercoaster of human emotion that juxtaposes comedy with deep love and underlying tragedy.

This is the inaugural production from OperaUpClose who are dedicated to presenting new, difficult and classic operas in intimate spaces using young world-class trained singers and directors. Artistic Director Adam Spreadbury-Maher formed the company to bring opera to life for new audiences, and to offer the extraordinary opportunity to experience the dramatic and musical event of opera up close.

Formed in January 2009 The c*ckTavern Theatre has rapidly established itself at the forefront of the London Fringe under the artistic direction of Adam Spreadbury-Maher.

Director Robin Norton-Hale studiEd English at Oxford University and trained at The King's Head Theatre on their Resident Assistant Director programme. Opera directing credits include: Spirit of Vienna (English Touring Opera); Pimpinone (Colourhouse Theatre); Revival Director on Ariodante (English Touring Opera); Assistant Director on Katya Kabonova and The Abduction from the Seraglio (both English Touring Opera). Theatre directing credits include: Best Man Speech (UK tour) and Pick 'n' Myths (Lyric Hammersmith and UK tour); Associate Director on Cloudcuckooland (Edinburgh Fringe, UK and European Tour) and Assistant Director on Sweet Charity (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane).

Conductor Andrew Charity trained at the Royal College of Music and London Opera Centre and has won the Ricordi Prize For Conducting. He has coached at the National Opera Studio and has a long-standing relationship working as Musical Director and singing teacher at ArtsEd and RADA (Chorus Master since 1990).

Andrew has conducted Opera Galas at LSO St Luke's, concerts with Camerata of London, Loki Orchestra, Corelli Orchestra and Co-Opera Co. and at the Aldeburgh, Almeida, and Arcola Festivals.

Conducting credits include: Pierrot Lunaire (Arcola), Cosi Fan Tutte (European Chamber Opera) and Kiss of the Spiderwoman (Guildhall School of Music and Drama). Premieres conducted include: Martinu's Concerto for Violins and Piano. He has worked as Musical Director for the National Theatre, RSC and Peter Hall and as Associate Director for London Opera Group and Divertimento Opera.

Venue The c*ckTavern Theatre, 125 Kilburn High Road, London, NW6 6JH.

Dates & Times 8th December - 23rd January

Tuesday - Saturday at 7.30pm Sunday at 5pm

No show on: 12th December or from 25th December - 4th January, except New Year's Eve at 5pm.

Box Office 08444 771 000 / www.cocktaverntheatre.com

Tickets £15 (£10 concessions) LIMITED NUMBER OF £5 TICKETS AVAILABLE EVERY NIGHT

Transport Kilburn Park (Bakerloo Line). Five minutes from Tricycle Theatre.

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