Reviewed by Richard lane

February 2016

 

This production by Davine Interventionz is very stylish indeed.

 

Set in Florence and Rome, it tells the story of a young  American girl Clara (Kristin Stefanoff) who is on tour in Italy with her dominant yet protective mother Margaret (Katie Packer).Clara immediately falls in love with an Italian boy, Fabrizio (Lindsay Prodea) and for reasons we do not discover until Act2 , the mother vehemently resists her daughter’s marriage . But love of course  triumphs in the end.  The marriage will take place.

 

Producer David Gauci’s sets are minimalist, elegant and changed seamlessly by the cast. The sound system on opening night was a little wobbly but this will surely be adjusted.

 

Mr Gauci refers to the show as a “musical” yet it is more  like an “opera for the common man.” The music seems  rather unmelodious (to this critic with a tin ear) but nevertheless it is sung superbly by the very talented cast. 

 

Musical Director Peter Johns has gathered a charming six piece string orchestra which does not overtake the singers as so often can  happen.

 

Lindsay’s   commanding tenor blends well with Kristin’s soprano and Katie ‘s lovely mezzo is a feature . Lisa Simonetti (Franca) has a powerful contralto which claims our attention and David Visentin, costumed immaculately as Signor Nacarelli  sings with great confidence and elan.

 

The costumes by David Gauci, Louise Watkins and others, are accurate to a fault for time and place.

 

Director Hayley Horton has stamped her hand on this beautifully rehearsed piece to provide a fine  night’s entertainment.