Music by G.F. Handel
Conducted by Brett
Weymark
Directed by Tobias
Cole
Handel in the Theatre
The Playhouse,
Canberra Theatre Centre to 29 October
Reviewed by Len Power
28 October 2017
Generally acknowledged to be the first English oratorio, ‘Esther’
was originally composed in 1718, but was heavily revised into a full oratorio
in 1732 including Handel’s coronation anthems ‘My Heart is Inditing’ and a version
of 'Zadok the Priest’. It’s troubling
that hundreds of years after it was composed, the religious persecution theme
of the show is still applicable today.
Esther, married to King Ahaseurus of Persia, is secretly
Jewish. The Prime Minister, Haman, orders
the extermination of all Jews throughout the Persian empire. Mordecai asks Esther to appeal to her husband
to rescind the order, but she risks death if she approaches the King without
being sent for.
Tobias Cole’s impressive production works on every
level. With a simple and gently humorous
introduction to the work at the beginning, including an explanation of the
characters, Cole gave the audience a clear understanding of the story about to
be played out on stage.
There was impressive singing by all of the principles. Janet Todd was a charming and believable Esther,
Tobias Cole was a delightfully quirky King, Sally-Anne Russell was very moving
as Mordecai and David Greco was a deeply sinister Haman. Alison Richardson and Keren Dalzell gave heartfelt
performances in the roles of the Israelites.
There was fine singing by the dramatic chorus and the addition
of a balcony chorus in the coronation anthems produced a thrilling and all-enveloping
sound.
The orchestra, conducted by Brett Weymark played the score
superbly. There was a good sound balance
between the orchestra and the singers.
Production values for the show were high. Imogen Keen designed the lavish and colourful
set and period costumes and the lighting design by Cynthia Jolley-Rogers added considerably
to the atmosphere of the show.
Particularly notable was the choreography by Belynda Buck
who gave the dramatic chorus stylised but emotionally valid moves that added considerably
to their musical performance.
This was a wonderful opportunity to hear Handel’s score
beautifully played and sung. That it was
staged so well by Tobias Cole was an added bonus.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7’s new ‘On Stage’ program on Mondays from
3.30pm and on ‘Artcetera’ from 9.00am on Saturdays.