PORGY AND BESS – CAPE TOWN OPERA
Originally conceived as an ‘American folk opera’ by creator George Gershwin, Por-
gy And Bess has retained its reputation as a pioneering and celebrated musical
since its premier on Broadway in 1935. Focusing on the tale of Porgy, a disabled
African-American beggar and resident of Charleston, South Carolina, the opera
follows its protagonist through his efforts to rescue Bess from her relationships
with an abusive lover called Crown and a drug dealer named Sportin’ Life.
As the drama develops in the setting of waterfront community Catfish Row, the Cape
Town Opera stamp their mark on Gershwin’s memorable plot with impressive acting
and captivating vocals. Musical performances include the sublime Summertime – a
favourite of pop stars, and perhaps this opera’s most renowned tune.
Despite courting controversy in the past, largely due to the methods of some
directors in depicting race, Porgy And Bess remains vitally significant as an illus-
tration of American social and theatrical history. Through a creative combination
of New York jazz and traditional African music, the opera’s soundtrack appears as
groundbreaking now as it was deemed when Gershwin first merged these styles
together over 70 years ago, whilst the depictions of poverty and violence are
provocative but highly relevant to the difficult lifestyles which faced many of his
African American contemporaries.
A schedule of pre-show talks and special dinner offers for ticket holders give
WMC
further cause for Porgy And Bess as a theatrical treat.
The Wales Millennium Centre is
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, Wed 21-Sat 2 Oct. Tickets: £1-£7.
Info: www.capetownopera.co.za
approaching its fifth birthday and has big
plans. Helen Jauregui takes a look at
DORIAN GRAY
Those of us who were excited by Ben Barnes’s impressively high cheekbones in
some shows kicking off the party spirit. the film adaptation of The Picture Of Dorian Gray would be foolish to miss out on
this dance production of the same tale. After creating original dance productions
of Edward Scissorhands and The Car Man, the New Adventures dance company
makes a strong return with this re-imagining of Oscar Wilde’s 1890 gothic fable.
Set in a world where the prevailing attitude is one of total obsession over youth
and beauty, Dorian Gray tells the story of a gorgeous, cheekbone-endowed (as is
the tradition) young man who makes an ill-advised pact with the devil. With gothic
costumes, striking sets and intricate use of lighting and sound, this production
boasts a high degree of attention to detail and quality artistic design.
Formed through the imagination of respected British choreographer Matthew
Bourne, this dark fairytale questions the modern obsession with celebrity and
image without the use of any spoken dialogue – a remarkable feat developed
throughout ‘master storyteller’ Bourne’s highly successful 20-year career.
Building on Wilde’s original themes of hedonism and corruption, this updated
production has garnered praise as the most successful dance production in
the history of The Edinburgh International Festival and will soon undertake an
extensive international tour.
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, Tue 27-Sat 1 Oct. Tickets: £1-£.
Info: www.new-adventures.net
NATIONAL DANCE COMPANY WALES
With over 25 years of genre-breaking shows under their belt as dance troupe
Diversions, the renamed National Dance Company Wales return to their home city
this Autumn with a trio of cutting-edge performances courtesy of three talented
choreographers. Performing against the backdrop of the Centre’s Donald Gordon
Theatre, the show includes an improvisational performance courtesy of Nigel
Charnock, renowned for his experimental work combining energetic live dance
with text and film. Diversions founder Roy Campbell-Moore is also a commis-
sioned artist for the show, demonstrating a passion for creating accessible,
inspiring dance which has remained at the core of this touring company since
its inception. France-based artist and respected dance tutor Andonis Foniadakis
is the third contributor, whose distinctive, contemporary choreography has been
applied to performances internationally.
With costumes and scenery designed by Foniadakis himself, this dance maverick’s
stylistic efforts will be a highlight within this high-quality dance showcase. Having
secured excellent reviews from both local and national publications (including
The Guardian, Western Mail and The Daily Telegraph), it’s evident that, despite
their new title, the NDCW show no signs of deviating from their reputation for
professional and original work.
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, Tue -Wed  Nov. Tickets: £1-£20. Info:
www.ndcwales.co.uk
BUZZ 1
october 2009.indd 14 25/9/09 15:13:17
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