The production by man of the theatre Simon McBurney for English National Opera in 2013 became an instant favourite with audiences, and it is back again with an attractive cast.
The Magic Flute opens with a man in a life-and-death struggle with a monster. Three mysterious women come to his rescue, and he is despatched to repay his debt to them by going in search of the daughter of their tyrannical boss, the Queen of the Night. The man, Tamino, falls in love with the abducted Pamina, and tracks her down with the help of three little boys – and a clownish birdcatcher, Papageno.
When the couple meet in the temple of the solemn Sarastro, they learn the truth about the scheming Queen, and seal their love with challenges by fire and water.
This 18th century magical realism is beautifully realised by McBurney with designer Michael Levine, costumes by Nicky Gillibrand and Jean Kalman's lighting revived by Mike Gunning.
Soprano Lucy Crowe. Photo: Marco Borgreve
The cast includes Lucy Crowe, who played Pamina to great acclaim at the production's first revival in 2016, with tenor Rupert Charlesworth as Tamino, Thomas Oliemans as Papageno, Brindley Sherratt and Jonathan Lemalu sharing the role of Sarastro, and Julia Baier as the Queen of the Night, a role famous for its two sky-high coloratura arias.
This Magic Flute is a co-production with Dutch National Opera and Aix-en-Provence and has all the theatre skills that you would expect of a collaboration with Complicite.
The Magic Flute is sung in English with English surtitles
| What | The Magic Flute, English National Opera |
| Where | London Coliseum, WC2N 4ES | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Embankment (underground) |
| When |
14 Mar 19 – 11 Apr 19, nine performances, times vary; running time 3 hr |
| Price | £12-£125 |
| Website | Click here for more information and booking |
