• New Theatre, Cardiff
• WNO Youth Opera

WNO Youth Opera

New Theatre, Cardiff

Hats off to the large (very) number of young people who formed two casts to give two polished performances of this feelgood show.

The bilingual production takes the trope of two different groups who have been separated, try to a come together, are divided by what they see as a pointless argument, and all make friends. The fun twist is that it is the flesh-eating zombies who have had their filling of scoffing brains and sucking on veins and call a halt to all the nastiness.

The two groups have different views on how to live. One is uniform and controlled, as is seen in their costumes and how they are choreographed. The second is full of colour, anarchic individuals.

The singing is always delightful whether from the professional singers, Welsh soprano Jessica Robinson playing the part of Panicydd, and Cardiff-based baritone Mica Liberta-Smith playing the part of Attacker, the Youth Opera alumni or those clearly totally committed youngsters. The choir of voices of the future singers were particularly endearing.

Musically the WNO Orchestra were splendid in supporting the young singers and the harmony, musical and actual, was also achieved through BSL performers.

The composition from Dan Perkin, orchestrated by Owain Llywd, had some catchy tunes and variety while the Bethan Marlow libretto was easy to follow in what was an intentionally vague sort of story and context.

Directed by Hannah Noone and designed by April Dalton, it had the feel more of a very well put together community project than some of the earlier more opera outings by WNO Youth Opera, bringing in people from other arts organisations, which is no doubt intentional and strategic.

A pleasant evening in the New Theatre and a vivacious, engaging ensemble performance to celebrate WNO Youth Opera’s 20th anniversary..

Images by Craig Fuller