Susannah

Published Monday 17 March 2008 at 10:50 by George Hall

Given its huge success in America since its 1955 premiere in Tallahassee, Carlisle Floyd’s opera based on the Apocryphal story of Susanna and the Elders, which he transfers to an Evangelical community in Tennessee, has long been overdue for a major UK staging. Now it has one, courtesy of English Touring Opera and director James Conway, which gives a good idea of its strengths and weaknesses.

Among its strengths is its plot, with the outsider Susannah being hounded by religious zealots and seduced by the hypocritical minister Olin Blitch - a marvellous role played to the hilt by Andrew Slater. Her brother - given a tower-of-strength interpretation by Todd Wilander - then shoots Blitch, leaving Susannah more of an outsider than ever.

The score’s most positive feature is an immediate, folksy style that draws much of its material from its locale and is regularly effective. On the other hand, Floyd’s technical skills are limited. Rhythmically, much of what we hear is flat-footed. Parts of the piece are overly repetitious and even banal. A little more subtlety would go a long way.

But this is a fine production, with Conway’s assured and focused direction propelling the drama over the footlights. Design and lighting are expertly done, and Alexander Ingram’s conducting is tight and pacy.

Donna Bateman seizes all opportunities in the title role, and Sean Clayton makes much of her oddball friend, Little Bat. But the score palls long before the evening is over.