Review: THE ZOO at Brussels Light Opera Company

BLOC’s spring double bill brings together two short comic operas, THE ZOO and TRIAL BY JURY, and it’s the kind of evening that reminds you how satisfying light opera can be when it’s played with genuine skill. It’s colourful, musically confident, and consistently fun. You can feel the company’s love for the form. And to be honest, if you like comic operas and operettas, there's nothing better than a Gilbert & Sullivan and Sullivan & Roewe evening. 

THE ZOO opens on a beautifully painted, storybook world, created by Janet Gray, that instantly sets the tone. The palette is rich and welcoming, and the whole atmosphere feels like it’s been pulled from a classic British print. In spirit, it plays like a mini musical, with operetta music providing the texture. The ensemble comes in joyful and vibrant, and you start smiling, before anyone’s even finished the first phrase.

Stage directors Marie Rousseaux and Lilian Horner keep the action fresh and dynamic. Jean Emmett’s choreography gives the ensemble real personality. It’s comical, inventive, and full of punch. Characters pop in bold contrast, almost like an animated film unfolding in front of you, with the chorus giving the world constant movement and texture.

Tonia Jolly's costume work matches that bright visual storytelling. Colours are brilliantly chosen with taste and consistency, and every look helps define character quickly. You get the period charm, the playful exaggeration, and the warm operetta shine, all working together so the stage constantly feels alive.

Jean Frédéric's lighting deserves a mention too. It’s subtle, beautiful, and richer than you’d expect, shaping the stage picture with care and supporting the comedy throughout.

Musically, it’s a pleasure. Under music director Lionel Bams, the orchestra sounds great, and the singers perfectly fit the style.

Alexandre Perard, as Aesculapius Carboy, leads a principal group that includes Beatriz Ferraz de Oliveira as Laetitia, Wivica Stagell as Eliza, Deniz Celik as Thomas Brown, and Jeremy Thomas as Mr Grinder.

The result pushes THE ZOO beyond what you might expect from a typical operetta night out. It’s bright, well played, well sung, and staged with a freshness that is rare in this genre.

TRIAL BY JURY starts more static, which fits the courtroom setup. It doesn’t stay that way for long though. The men’s chorus quickly earns the audience’s sympathy through sharply defined individual characters and choreographies that are ridiculous in the best way. It’s smart comedy, and it’s done with real commitment.

Thomas Landsbert-Noon’s Judge is a standout. He arrives with sparkling energy, a wonderfully nuanced voice, and effortless comic timing. The slightly oversized costume and wiggly wig help, for sure, but the performance is what sells the caricature. Marco Michelon’s Usher provides the perfect counterweight. He’s larger than life , imposing, and he anchors the chaos.

The principal lineup, Felipa Ferraz as Counsel for the Plaintiff, Paul Gosme as the Defendant, Andrey Kaplan as Foreman of the Jury, and Miranda Tiona as the Plaintiff, keeps the courtroom machine turning, and the ensemble supports them with a strong and beautiful group sound. When it needs to be subtle, it is. When it needs to go grand, it goes all the way.

A surprise highlight is the bridesmaids’ entrance, styled in a 20s to 30s Charleston world. It’s unexpected, it works, and the group brings personality and swagger.

The ending lifts into a final burst of energy, with a touch of tap that fits the concept perfectly. You leave the theatre in a better mood than when you walked in, which is honestly the point.

Producers Denise Wicken and Alexander Just have done a wonderful job, shaping a production that feels polished, generous, and audience friendly. If you love comic opera and operetta, this is a high quality night out you won't want to miss.

Final rating: 9/10 (Strongly recommended for anyone who loves comic opera and operetta at its most joyful).