Falstaff

Published Monday 8 October 2007 at 11:20 by Kevin Berry

This welcome revival of Opera North’s acclaimed 1997 Matthew Warchus production is everything one would expect and a little more.

Falstaff is now given opportunities to show that in his youth, he would have been something of a catch. Dainty dance steps and sweeping courtly gestures emphasise his noble birth. Robert Hayward gives him physical dignity, an authoritative bearing and a degree of grace. This Falstaff is a big enough chap, but not obese. Hayward’s rich voice makes full use of the wit in Amanda Holden’s translation. He scores with every line.

One of the great joys of the production is Susan Bickley’s performance as Mistress Quickly. Her knowing looks and asides are beautifully played and her vocal expression is delicious. Her meetings with Falstaff are superbly played and sung.

Susannah Ford’s Mistress Ford sparkles and there is infectious glee in her plotting. Olafur Sigurdarson, as her husband, sings with relish and with some anger when needed. As for John Graham-Halls’ Dr Caius, audiences will be overjoyed when he enters.

A sloping stage enables cast and chorus to be arranged with purpose. The clothes basket scene is admirably shaped, despite the stage being almost full. Laura Hopkins’ design comes into its own during Act III when the houses in a Windsor street are swung around to show the trees of Windsor Great Park. Stunning and well worth applauding.

A highly recommended production. Lustily sung, magically lit and enjoying a fulsome measure of visual wit.