Die Fledermaus review

Great introduction to opera with Strauss update

I WOULD suggest that for anyone who has not been to an opera before that Surrey Opera’s take on Die Fledermaus at the Minack Theatre is not a bad way to start.

Witty and fast paced the modern adaptation of Johann Strauss’s classic is set in the 1980s, with the familiarity making it instantly more accessible. The entertaining plot, in which Dr Falke, excellently played by James Harrison, manipulates socialite Gabriel von Eisenstein to exact revenge for a previous prank which landed him with the nickname Dr Fledermaus, is easy to follow.

Alan Crook’s portrayal of Herr Frank, the prison governor, as Rolf Harris, provided many comical moments, as did a performance of the dance from Michael Jackson’s Thriller, which was the highlight of an entertaining second act.

Although the opera lasted for the best part of three hours, I never found myself clock-watching or taking in the stunning views offered by the Minack’s cliff-side stage.

Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable show that I would strongly recommend seeing before it leaves Cornwall, if there are any tickets left for its performances tonight and tomorrow.