| Carmen | Alexander Productions |
|
|
|
|
Internationally acclaimed director Nigel Jamieson presents his premiere production of Carmen the Musical.
More
than 120 young opera singers and dancers from Australia and New Zealand
are coming together to create a spectacular performance of Carmen – a tale of burning love, simmering passion and seething hatred.
Nigel Jamieson, the internationally acclaimed event and theatrical director is planning what he terms, “a unique, stunning and edgy performance”.
“Carmen
is a work of extraordinary passion, and passion will be the central
theme of our production – both in terms of the intense rehearsal
process we will throw ourselves in to, and the production we intend to
create. Youth is about risk taking, about energy and re-inventing the
world a fresh. This production hopes to give these young performers of
tomorrow a chance to spread their wings, explore the power and emotion
in their voices and bodies and experience the thrill of being part of a
process where ones immersion is total. You will not see a lot of
mantillas, polka dots or castanets in this production. Rather, you’ll
see energy, raw emotion and a dramatisation of the power of sex,
passion, love and jealousy. Given the youthful age of the cast – none
are over 28 years old – this looks set to be a steamy as the January
heat,” says Jamieson.
Also bringing their talent to the rich pool of creative staff are: Gavin Robins, current Movement Director for the Sydney Theatre Company, along with Christopher Shepard, Conductor, Sharolyn Kimmorley, Musical Coach, Andy McDonell, Designer, Chris Twyman, Lighting Designer and Alex Sommer Costume Designer, and dynamic Producer, Nicole Alexander. All staff are renowned for getting young performers to reach out beyond their abilities to achieve breakthrough performances.
Alexander
Productions first brought the Mid-Summer Opera to Sydney in 2005. Now
in its third year, this annual spectacular has become not just a
sell-out event, but also the place to scope the up-and-coming talent
pool of Australia’s most promising performers and musicians.
Alexander says, “My
aim is to give young Australians an opportunity to showcase their
amazing abilities and to reach inside themselves to deliver truly
inspirational performances. This is a unique opportunity for young
performers to be part of a world-class event in a professional venue.
It also highlights the positive contribution of today’s youth; when so
often all we hear or see about young people is negative.”
Jamieson and Alexander’s vision for Carmen
will embrace challenging logistics including the coordination of more
than one hundred performers from all over Australia and New Zealand who
will come together to rehearse for just under two weeks. Although the
principals have already learned their roles prior to arrival, all of
the staging must be rehearsed and perfected in a very condensed time
frame.
“It’s what adds the buzz,” says Nicole Alexander. “Performers
get into rehearsal on the first day and they realise, this is it. I’m
going to be on this stage in front of a live audience in just over a
week. I’d better get it right. They pull together as a team; they bond
in a heartbeat and form lasting friendships as a result. In fact, the
camaraderie is just as important to them as the performance is, in the
end.”
Alexander Productions presents
Carmen
Music by Georges Bizet. Adapted and Arranged by Bobbie Field
Book and Lyrics by David Badger by arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd on behalf of Josef Weinberger LTD. London
Director Nigel Jamieson
Conductor Christopher Shepard
Movement Director Gavin Robins
Designer Andy McDonell
Lighting Designer Chris Twyman
Costume Designer Alex Sommer
Principal Musical Coach Sharolyn Kimmorley
Venue: The Sydney Theatre @ Walsh Bay
Dates/Times: January 18-19, 2007 at 2pm and 7.30pm
Bookings: Ticketek www.ticketek.com.au or Sydney Theatre Company at Walsh Bay on (02) 9250 1999
|
|
Contact: |
