The Wellesley Cinema’s ‘Live’ events in October offer local audiences the best performances in opera, ballet and theatre from venues in the UK and from Moscow.
Mozart’s opera ‘Le Nozze De Figaro’ transmitted from The Royal Opera House on Monday 5 October is the first of the month’s treats.
In partnership with librettist Lorenzo da Ponte Mozart adapted Pierre Beaumarchais’ controversial play Le Mariage de Figaro, which at the time was banned in Vienna due to its seditious content. Figaro quickly entered the international repertory and has rarely been out of it since, admired as one of Mozart’s finest works.
Conducted by Ivor Bolton, this production stars Erwin Schrott as Figaro and Anita Hartig as Susanna.
Wellington School former pupil and national treasure David Suchet plays Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ from London’s Vaudeville Theatre on Thursday 8 October.
Directed by Adrian Noble this production has won rave reviews. One critic said, “This is a majestically funny performance which plays up Wilde’s farcical exuberance.”
The Bolshoi’s latest production of the ballet classic ‘Giselle’ is screened live from one of the world’s great stages on Sunday 11 October.
In one of the oldest and most loved classical ballets, the peasant girl ‘Giselle’ dies of a broken heart after discovering that her lover is betrothed to marry someone else. Forced against her will to join the Wilis – vengeful spirits of dead brides who dance men to death – who targeted her lover Albrecht because of his betrayal. Giselle must hope that her love for him will be enough to spare his life.
Maria Vinogradova dances the role of Giselle with Denis Rodkin as Count Albrecht.
Academy Award nominee Benedict Cumberbatch’s performance in the National Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ which has already attracted considerable publicity comes to the Wellesley on Thursday 15 October.
One critic said “This is one of the most visually and atmospherically stunning productions I’ve ever seen, of anything, ever!” Others have called it “a blazing five-star Hamlet,” “a Hamlet for a world on edge”, “a fresh, dymanic staging with a vivid, supple performance at its heart” and “a great way of making the play accessible”.
English National Opera’s ‘The Barber of Seville’ comes live from London’s Coliseum on Monday 19 October.
This revival of Rossini’s comic masterpiece is set in 18th century Seville and follows the escapades of the barber Figaro as he assists Count Almaviva to prise the beautiful, feisty Rosina away from her lecherous guardian Dr Bartolo.
Christopher Allen conducts Rossini’s sparkling score and the cast includes Andrew Shore as Dr Bartolo, Kathryn Rudge as Rosina, and rising baritone Morgan Pearse as the barber Figaro.
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of ‘Henry V’ is screened live on Wednesday 21st October with Alex Hassell in the title role.
In the play Henry IV is dead and Hal is King. With England in a state of unrest, he must leave his rebellious youth behind, striving to gain the respect of his nobility and people.
Gregory Doran’s climactic production concludes his epic exploration of Shakespeare’s history plays and is staged, appropriately, during the 600th anniversary year of The Battle of Agincourt. The Telegraph’s theatre critic said, “To my mind, this exemplary production is easily the Shakespearean event of the autumn.”
Monday 5 October Le Nozze De Figaro 6.45pm
Thursday 8 October The Importance of Being Earnest 7.15pm
Sunday 11 October Giselle 4pm
Thursday 15 October Hamlet 7pm
Monday 19 October The Barber of Seville 7.30pm
Wednesday 21 October Henry V 7pm
Tickets and booking information from www wellesleycinema.co.uk