Marriage a la Mode and The Pleasure Garden:
Wed 9, Fri 11, Sat 12, Thur 17 April at 7.30pm
plus matinee Sat 19 April at 2pm.
Marriage a la Mode - an opera by Rod Biss with libretto by John Thomson.
Five brief vignettes illustrate scenes from the famous etchings and paintings of William Hogarth (commenced 1743, presently displayed at The National Gallery, London).
The Earl of Squanderfield is in deep financial trouble and arranges a marriage between his son and the daughter of a rich Alderman to rescue his fortune. The marriage becomes a charade:
"Don't say that I am hapless nor think that I am a bore - I'm really just the sad result of primogeniture"
The Pleasure Garden- an opera by Phillip Norman with libretto by A K Grant
A true story on the merits and misgivings of receiving a painting by the famous New Zealand artist Frances Hodgkins. After Hodgkins' death in 1947, the Council of the Canterbury Society of Arts wrote to the British Council asking for a selection of paintings, with the intention of purchasing one "if it saw fit", betto hang in the Robert McDougall Gallery (Christchurch). A royal battle followed between disciples of modernism and conservatism, with the general public enjoying the spectacle immensely: "I don't know much about Art . . . but I do know what I like" became a catchphrase of the time.
The Three Franks and A Factory Opera:
Thur 10, Wed 16, Fri 18, Sat 19 April at 7.30pm
plus matinee Saturday 12 April at 2pm
The Three Franks - a trilogy by David Griffiths based on stories of Frank Sargeson
(text adapted by John Davies)
They Gave her a Rise: Mrs Bowman resorts to hysterical prayer over the possible loss of her daughter Sally in a catastrophic ammunition factory explosion. Even though two of Sally's friends are killed, she meets this with glib insincerity.
Two Worlds: Grandpa (a loyal Orangeman) is horrified by the boys' find of a set of rosary beads, and attempts to arrange a solution.
A Great Day: Two Good Kiwi Blokes go fishing and fairly soon jealousy and resentment result in murder.
A Factory Opera - by Phillip Norman, with libretto by Fiona Farrell
A true story of romance from a now elderly lady who worked as a girl at the Edmonds Baking Powder factory. A poignant and enchanting story about a love that was doomed to fail - a Sydenham version of Carmen or Romeo and Juliet, but with no daggers and no histrionics.
Guest Appearance (Fri 11 April only) NIMBY Opera - Good Angel Bad Angel
Opera Factory also hosts Not in My Back Yard - a fringe opera company from Wellington, for a single late night performance of Lyell Cresswell's opera "Good Angel Bad Angel", with libretto by Rob Butlin. Base on a short story by Robert Louis Stevenson, the drama tells of the journey of a thief who wants to put his life of crime and violence behind him.
This guest performance promises a thrilling addition to this performance of Opera Factory's double bill.
Opera Factory's comfortable and informal fringe theatre is situated at 7 Eden Street in the heart of Newmarket and is easily adjacent to public transport and parking. Opera Factory offers a unique annual programme of performance training for all ages and levels plus community and corporate entertainment throughout the year.
Accessibility: We have ground floor access with no stairs to negotiate.
Rows A - C are on flat floor, wheelchairs can be accommodated.
|
