Review: TELL ME THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE at Wellington Comic Opera
Running May 23 thru Jun 7 at various locations
Wellington Comic Opera continues its tradition of bringing live performance to venues across the greater Wellington region, and I was pleased to attend their latest production, Tell Me the Truth About Love.
This cabaret-style show features 24 songs presented over two hours (including a 15-minute interval). It is semi-staged, with minimal lighting and set dressing, allowing the focus to rest squarely on the performers. Costuming is thoughtfully handled and adds visual appeal, helping make the show accessible and enjoyable for the largely older audience I joined at the Khandallah performance.
The cast of 16 includes director Malinda Groves, Musical Director William McElwee, and accompanist Heather Easting, who provides excellent support throughout.
The show opens with Benjamin Britten’s Tell Me the Truth About Love, performed with the cast dispersed among the audience, a creative and engaging choice that immediately draws viewers in. From the outset, it was clear that there are some truly strong voices in this ensemble.
That said, not all of the humour landed for me. While there were clear attempts to inject lightness and wit throughout, some moments didn’t quite achieve their intended effect. Personally, I found the more serious numbers far more compelling, as they allowed the performers’ vocal abilities to truly shine.
There were several standout performers. Patrick Coelho impressed with his rich, resonant tone, while Rebecca Murphy-Woodmore brought both excellent vocal control and a sharp sense of comic timing. Malinda Groves also performed strongly while balancing her role as director. However, the voice of the afternoon undoubtedly belonged to Alex Buchanan, simply stunning. It was a pity we didn’t hear more from her.
Among the musical highlights, The Masochism Tango provided genuine humour, and The Flower Fishers Quartet was beautifully executed. One of the most touching moments came with David Cox and Rebecca Murphy-Woodmore’s rendition of Do You Love Me? from Fiddler on the Roof, which drew warm reactions from the audience.
Alex Buchanan’s performance of O Mio Babbino Caro was nothing short of a masterclass; poised, expressive, and vocally superb. It comes as no surprise that she has been accepted to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Anyone who appreciates fine singing would do well to catch her before she departs our shores.
The final encore was, for me, the highlight of the show, richly harmonised and beautifully blended. It left me wishing there had been more of this style of ensemble work and slightly fewer of the lighter numbers, to better showcase the company’s vocal strengths.
Overall, Tell Me the Truth About Love offers an enjoyable afternoon of music, with some excellent talent on display. For audiences seeking live performance and strong vocal work, this production is well worth attending.
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