The Cunning Little Vixen

Stunning set design and stagecraft make this one of the most instantly watchable of productions – but sadly for me the costume concept was muddled in parts and somewhat distracting. Fortunately the quality of the acting saved this and despite the oddness of the story I became engaged. I really disliked however the translation with its hip street talk. Why? The delaying of the interval until part way into act two also felt forced and made the first half of the evening feel bereft of singing. But after that half what joy, beautiful music, beautiful voices and visual magic. As the poor old cunning vixen bites the dust the production is resurrected. What does work is the cohesive playing of voices, dance, orchestra and acting, the story is pretty weak but somehow it was totally captivating.

Glyndebourne, 30 May 2012

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