Porgy and Bess *****

Thu, 13 July 2006, 04:38 pm

Logos8 posts in thread

I have just got home after watching the World Tour Production of Porgy and Bess currently here in Adelaide. 6 performances only.

It was magnificent, Gerschwin's score is still as soaring, vital and honest as the day it was written and this production truly does it justice. The whole ensemble sang and acted brilliantly and kept the largish audience spellbound. The stylised unit setting took us from Catfish Row to Kittiwah Island without challenging our belief and the lighting was extraordinary. Costuming and all else supported the show beautifully. I cannot say enough about the cast, they rotate through the major roles to share the load and everyone in the cast can sing and act very well.

Living in Australia there is not much chance to see this show so if it's coming near you grab it. I have been priviledged to see the last Australian Tour of this opera by the Maori Theatre of New Zealand in the seventies as well as this one.

This is Gerschwins greatest work done justice by a passionate and talented cast. If you get a chance go and see it.

Thread (8 posts)

Threaded Flat

LogosThu, 13 July 2006, 04:38 pm

I have just got home after watching the World Tour Production of Porgy and Bess currently here in Adelaide. 6 performances only.

This is Gerschwins greatest work done justice by a passionate and talented cast. If you get a chance go and see it.

Walter PlingeSun, 16 July 2006, 03:05 pm

Porgy and Bess

I'm glad it was a good experience in the theatre - because it sounded a bit below par on the radio.

Walter PlingeSun, 16 July 2006, 06:37 pm

Porgy & Bess

I'm glad I went, because I've never seen a production of P&G before, and it will be a long time till another one turns up here. The music is wonderful. But ... the performances seemed a little tired. I never once got the impression that the characters were saying things they'd only just thought of, or that the actions were things that had never been done before that moment. The lack of freshness detracted a little.

Walter PlingeTue, 18 July 2006, 10:13 am

pandb

i love porgy and bess, thank you sooo much for this enlightening performance!!!!

LogosTue, 18 July 2006, 03:31 pm

I don't know

I loved it. I didn't notice the tiredness mentioned, I agree it may have been very slick which can perhaps militate against spontaneity. The cast were a little slow on the curtain call but then again it is one of the most exhausting vocal scores written. Life's too short to stuff a mushroom www.tonymoore.id.au

Walter PlingeSat, 12 Aug 2006, 10:07 pm

I just got home from seeing

I just got home from seeing the Canberra production. I was disappointed that the orchestra was cut to a bare minimum here - just a quartet for the string section, as opposed to the full complement of 3 to 5 players to each string part (1st and 2nd violins, violas, cellos, plus a double bass), which, according to the program, is used for this production in the other major State capitals. Effectively, the whole production was accompanied by a chamber ensemble, which often sounded more like a small wind band than a full orchestra - sometimes you could barely hear the strings below the woodwind and brass. It just didn't have the punch and fullness of sound that this score needs.

Walter PlingeSat, 26 Aug 2006, 11:22 am

Porgy and Bess

I saw Porgy and Bess this week at the Theatre Royal in Christchurch and had been looking forward to it. When booking I picked up a flyer which showed the Catfish Row as a series of wooden structures in the form of steps, balconies etc from which the artists performed. This was also shown in the programme. However, none of this materialised on stage, only a little scenery at the side of the stage and Catfish Row was in the form of a painted screen at the back of the stage. At $141NZ a ticket, this is disgraceful and nothing short of misrepresentation and false advertising. Corners were cut in not bringing the stage material, presumably because this show was only here for one night. A few years ago we saw Cats and it was explained how easy it is to transport and erect scenery. I will be thinking seriously before booking for any touring production again.

Walter PlingeSun, 27 Aug 2006, 06:21 pm

Heather, In Canberra we

Heather, In Canberra we were dudded by the lack of orchestra, but the scenery was excellent. Looks like in NZ you were dudded by the lack of scenery... so how was the orchestra? Down to a trio with a synthesiser?

← Back to Theatre Reviews