The Stage

Paradise Moscow

Published Monday 20 April 2009 at 10:20 by Kevin Berry

A new high-rise apartment block is being built on the outskirts of Moscow in the fifties and everyone wants to live there. Comic chaos ensues in this full-blown, outrageously staged revival of the Shostakovich operetta Cheryomushki. One huge, full company number even has walk on parts for Lenin, Marx and Uncle Joe Stalin.

The fun keeps on coming - statues springing to sudden life, all of the neighbours tightly packed into one room, some crazy costumes and hilarious songs. You really have to admire a lyricist - David Pountney - who can rhyme ‘toilet’ with ‘spoilt it’ and keep that standard.

Summer Strallen makes her Opera North debut as Lidochka, a museum guide chased by subversive rocker Boris (Eaton James). She is a visual and performing treat, he has style and presence in abundance. Their duets are smashing, varying from a wild Elvis pastiche to a romantic ballad with each singing introspectively.

Having an ankle in a pot does not hinder Bibi Heal’s pert and knowing performance, as a wife who can only meet her husband during the day time because they do not have a room to call their own. Her injury is made part of the story.

Specialist dancers underpin the staging of songs and the Opera North chorus moves with studied effect. The company orchestra is brought in on the action, being addressed many times by the main characters. Top form and top fun from everyone.