"The greatest piece of music theatre performed as you’ve never heard it: the South African way - thirty singers, marimbas, drums and township percussion." (Young Vic website)

It's just a happy coincidence that I saw this two days after seeing Ken Branagh's new film and, in a word, "wow." Not just a load of fun, not just miles better than the new film, but hand-down the best telling of the Magic Flute that I have seen - and there have been a few.

It is a marvelous interpretation of the story, with a crisp and funny translation and a truly outstanding reorchestration - the entire score is performed by a large marimba band. It stands in particularly stark contrast to the new film as a thoroughly successful attempt to give an old familiar tale a really fresh new twist.

Voices are generally very strong throughout, and some impressively so, though Tamino seemed to be battling the volume of the marimba early on. (I bought a program but don't have it with me to reference specific performer's names...) The Queen of the Night approaches her major arias with restraint, and in holding back displays far more nuance and threat than any rendition I've seen - and confirmed my feelings that the visual twiddlings Branagh chose to do at the same point in his film simply stole power from the music itself. Some pieces have been reworked entirely into full choral arrangements or group dance numbers, and there are even forays into doo-wop and modern R&B which neither lose the original musical line nor sound out of place. As I describe it, it doesn't sound like it should work, but it absolutely does, to magnificent effect.

The staging is simple and open and allows for minimal time between scenes, which then keeps the overall pace up with the general exuberance of the music. Papageno's role has been carved down significantly to keep the storytelling focus on Tamino and Pamina, but of course he still gets his bird in the end.

Little bits of musical cleverness or interpretive twists continually surpised me, and kept me completely engaged throughout. Jaded old opera buffs and wide-eyed newbies alike will find this an evening in the theatre that they will remember for a long, long time. Do not miss it.

http://www.youngvic.org/whats-on?action=details&id=1631

Yes, it's a great night's entertainment. I had a blast. Fantastic actor musicians and an surprising blend of pure Mozart - far purer than I'd expected, much of the time - and thrilling African rhythms. A fabulous Pamina, glorious chorus and marimba work (often simultaneously), but the star of the show was the incredible young conductor / solo instrumentalist. The best thing at the Young Vic since it reopened - an evening of pure delight.

Job

Darn, from the website it looks like it's sold out! Wonder if there are day tickets.

dont worry its replacing Rent at the Duke of Yorks - so you should be able to get tickets its doing a 9 week run i believe.

Thanks for that - I meant to post something similar, but pushed the wrong button before I posted! I think I will try to get tix for that, though I suppose not so special as seeing it in a smaller venue?

lastminute.com still seem to be selling tickets so have a look on there