OPERA PREVIEW/Don Giovanni

Jul 11 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

MUSICAL maverick Chris Monks returns to the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme with his eighth opera adaptation for the theatre.

For this reworking, the libertine Don Giovanni has been transformed into Count Zhivarny, a bogus Hungarian stage illusionist. Dashing and charismatic, he has one aim: to seduce the entire female population of Victorian London!

His conquests include a vengeful scientist, a love-lorn actress, and a newly-married cockney barmaid. But, as his victims close in intent on revenge, can he pull off a death-defying disappearing act? And will he escape the ghostly spectre of the murdered Dr Manometer?

“I wanted to include aspects of the supernatural, a lot of magic and illusion, and suddenly I realised that Don Giovanni should be the sort of guy who sawed women in half for a living”, explains Chris, who’s drafted in real-life illusionist Paul Kieve to help create the on-stage trickery.

He added: “I’ve tried to take opera back to its roots, but to make it as accessible as it was in Mozart’s time, you need to update it for a 21st century audience. I love opera and would like more people to enjoy it.”

Tickets for Don Giovanni, which runs until July 19, on 01782 717962, or online at www.newvictheatre.org.uk