OperaUpClose Extends LA BOHEME Through March 20

OperaUpClose Presents Giacomo Puccini's LA BOHÈME, A new translation by Robin Norton-Hale. Runs 8th December 2009 - 20th March 2010. Conductor: Andrew Charity; Director: Robin Norton-Hale; Set and Costume Design by: Kate Guinness and Lucy Read

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.

Under the artistic direction of Adam Spreadbury-Maher The c*ckTavern Theatre has established itself at the forefront of the London Fringe by winning the prestigious Dan Crawford Pub Theatre Award at the Peter Brook Empty Space Awards.

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 - 20th March

New Extension dates from 26th February - 20th March

Friday 26th Feb at 2pm

Saturday 27th Feb at 2pm

Sunday 28th Feb at 7.30pm

Monday 1st March at 7.30pm

Tuesday 2nd March at 7.30pm

Saturday 6th March at 2pm

Sunday 7th March at 7.30pm

Monday 8th March at 7.30pm

Tuesday 9th March at 7.30pm

Saturday 13th March at 2pm

Sunday 14th March at 7.30pm

Monday 15th March at 7.30pm

Saturday 20th March at 2pm

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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