Submitted by NZ Opera News on July 20, 2006 - 19:35.
"For several years I've had the idea of writing an opera based on a takeaway establishment. Having been a regular Friday Fish and Chip customer I had some experience of the comings and goings of the 'regulars' and their very varied backgrounds and the occasional unexpected domestic dramas. Lynn John, whom I invited to write the libretto, thought 'The White Lady' a superb icon for this project and thus the Opera was born. It seems strangely fitting that with the possible demise of this famous institution on Shortland St. Auckland later this year a show should be written to immortalise it. Lynn wrote the libretto in October and November, 2005, and together with John Davies, who will direct the production, and Michael Knapp, the designer, we worked on the story December/January and I started composing the music more or less immediately as the pages of the libretto, scene by scene, were finished.
The drama unfolds with Mahina and Joshua, two University students, falling in love. Mahina is assaulted by a local pimp (The Weasel) and violence results. Joshua and Mahina are implicated in the murder of The Weasel but through a complicated outworking of investigation the real culprit is found. Nonetheless there is plenty of humour provided by two local Massage Parlour workers, and the proprietors of The White Lady, Paddy and Betty, provide a very warm and human face to the story. The Chorus sing some rousing accolades in praise of the White Lady's burgers and further entertainment is provided by some local street colour, all authentically drawn from the real environment."
Students from the Music Department and Theatre Studies make up the cast and the Music Department Chamber Orchestra will be conducted by James Tennant. John Murray, who was so magnificent as Fred in the Opera '3 Franks' in 2006 will take the role of the Weasel. Reece Pennington, a former student of The Music Department who was outstanding as Marius in last years superb local production of 'Les Miserables' will sing the role of Joshua. Other cast members are Julia Hill (Mahina), Ian Campbell (Vasa), Beverley Pullon (Betty), Marion Taylor (Svetlana) and Angela Bjerga (Charlotte). David Griffiths, the composer will take the role of Paddy and Lynn John, the librettist will take the role of the Detective.
The Opera opens Wednesday 8pm September 6th at the WEL Academy of Performing Arts and runs until September the 8th. There will also be a Matinee on the Friday at 1pm.
