Ariadne auf Naxos – RNCM Theatre, Manchester
Set Designer
— The set was intelligently thought through, and I truly liked the idea of opening up the rear of the stage at the end to reveal the 'stage' — NUMBER 9 REVIEWS
— The crowning achievement of the Ariadne Prologue, was the theatrical dimension. With its bustling movement and clever use of props this faithfully captured the atmosphere and melodrama of preparing a show, and led up to a truly memorable final tableau, created at the back of the stage, previewing the classical postures of an operatic presentation — OPERA NOW
Set backstage in a theatre in the 1970s, the Prologue from Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos unveils the struggle between two theatrical groups who, due to time constraints, have been ordered to perform their different shows simultaneously. It is comedy versus tragedy against Strauss’s ingenious musical backdrop of opera buffa and opera seria resulting in flirtatious encounters, hot-headed arguments, and general chaos from all involved.
Performances from 12 – 16 December 2021 at RNCM Theatre, Manchester
Conductor | PETER ROBINSON
Director | STUART BARKER
Set Designer | RAPHAÉ MEMON
Costume Designer | ELAINE NEEDHAM