THE MAGIC FLUTE
cape town opera . artscape theatre stage . 2017
Mozart’s whimsical and enchanting opera blends fairy tale fantasy with deep philosophical themes. Love, adventure and magic collide in this singspiel when Prince Tamino embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Pamina, armed with a magical flute and a colourful cast of characters. A tale of triumph, trials and transformation set to some of the most unforgettable music ever written!
CREATIVE TEAM
conductor : Kamal Khan & Brandon Phillips
direction : Matthew Wild
choreography : Joshua Beamish
set & costume design : Michael Mitchell
projection design : Kirsti Cumming
lighting design : Patrick Curtis
sound design : Marcel Bezuidenhout
REVIEWS
★★★★★ The result is plausible, contemporary and witty, replete with dazzling spectacle and an oneiric quality that transcends time and place ... a triumph.
Cape Argus
The production opens with a young flute student, Tamino, pondering whether he should practice his instrument, study his set work (The Magic Flute) or have a smoke. Several puffs of the holy weed later, and Tamino is holding a ganja-infused argument with himself about the merits (or lack thereof) of Mozart and why Star Wars hasn’t been made into an opera (yet). This internal debate, stunningly presented via Kirsti Cumming’s video designs, sets the bar for a Magic Flute that is suffused with pop references, socio-political jokes and funky set and costume designs. The use of contemporary visual references in video, costume and set design, is eye-catching, amusing and relevant. It’s Harry Potter, Star Wars, Marvel Comics and Mozart – and it’s fabulous.
Karen Rutter, Weekend Special
A feast for the senses, showing off the very best of South African opera, musicianship and stagecraft ... Symbolism, old and new, informs each scene, making for a self-aware production that goes far to examine the misogynistic and racist threads that render the opera problematic. CTO's production of The Magic Flute is a forward-thinking, inventive display of creative South African talent.
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