Productions

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2004

Vera of Las Vegas - Daron Hagen & Paul Muldoon


Opera Theatre Company presents Vera of Las Vegas, a brilliant black 'nightmare cabaret opera' in one-act. The sizzling jazz-based score is by eclectic American talent Daron Hagen, with a slick, contemporary text by Pulitzer Prize Winning Irish poet Paul Muldoon (full of his characteristic witty word-play and chock full of contemporary references from U2 to the Crying Game).

The plot follows Dumdum and Taco (Alan Fairs and Eugene Ginty), two hapless IRA operatives who take the wrong flight and end up in Las Vegas. Illegal immigrants, they are pursued by an Immigration official disguised as a flight attendant (Charlotte Page) and they encounter the eponymous heroine - Vera (Jonathan Peter Kenny) - in less than salubrious circumstances.

A chorus of preening lapdancers, strippers and show girls comments on the unfolding horrors (Irish Singers Rebekah Coffey, Carolyn Dobbin, Shirley Keane, Bridget Knowles and Elizabeth Woods).
Directed by Annilese Miskimmon, Vera of Las Vegas is designed by Neil Irish (set/costumes), Tina MacHugh (lighting), Linda Dobell (movement ) and Ciara Moore (video). Ireland's most exciting young conductor David Brophy conducts an ensemble of talented music theatre specialists in the composer's own cabaret scoring for piano/keyboards (Brophy), reeds (Ken Edge), bass (Joe Csibi) and percussion (Noel Eccles).


Hawk's Well Theatre Sligo 20/11/2004

Mermaid Arts Centre Bray23/11/2004

The Belltable Limerick25/11/2004

Everyman Palace Cork27/11/2004

Town Hall Theatre Galway29/11/2004

The Helix Dublin2,4/11/2004

Stabat Mater - Pergolesi


One of Opera Theatre Company's most adventurous projects to date, Stabat Mater is an exciting operatic collaboration which unites eighteenth century sacred music with a spectacular location on Ireland's Atlantic Coast.

Directed by acclaimed artist Dorothy Cross, Stabat Mater combines a live staged performance of Pergolesis masterpiece with dramatic film footage.

In a ground-breaking, artist-led production, Stabat Mater joins the worlds of nature, industry, religion and art in a unique location.

Baroque specialist and counter-tenor Jonathan Peter Kenny joins soprano Lynda Lee and trumpeter Eamonn Nolan for three live, outdoor, multi-media performances. Mark Duley conducts members of the Irish Baroque Orchestra. 

Valentia Island Kerry 19,20,21/8/2004

The Four Note Opera - Tom Johnson


Absurd, minimal, satirical and extremely funny, four singers, four notes and one frustrated pianist come together to expose the strange world of opera: arias and overtures, tantrums and tiaras.

Opera Theatre Company reunites the versatile cast, whose original tour delighted audiences around the country, for another hilarious operatic experience.

This wry innovative production is directed by Gavin Quinn and designed by Aedín Cosgrove and Suzanne Cave.The Four Note Opera features soprano Nicola Sharkey, baritone Joe Corbett, tenor Kevin West and mezzo Buddug Verona James, with pianist Dearbhla Collins completing the perfect operatic ensemble.

Pavillion Theatre Dun Laoghaire

Factory Theatre Sligo

Millenium Forum Derry

Arts Centre Down

Dean Crowe Theatre Athlone

Belltable Arts Centre Limerick

Siamsa Tire Tralee

The Turn of the Screw - Benjamin Britten


Opera Theatre Company presents Britten's compelling adaptation of Henry James' ghostly tale. Set in a remote Victorian estate, The Turn of the Screw explores themes of innocence and corruption through the eyes of a naïve young governess. One of Britten's most remarkable and beautiful scores, the haunting, evocative music reflects the growing tension in the isolated household.

The strong cast of singers includes Virginia Kerr, Sylvia O'Brien, Catherine Hegarty and Rebekah Coffey. Celso Antunes conducts while designer Michael Vale (Ariodante OTC, Tosca ENO, Carmen Glyndebourne) brilliantly re-creates the gothic atmosphere and teasing ambiguity of opera's greatest ghost story.

The Turn of the Screw is credited as Britten's greatest creation, and this innovative production guarantees to provide an unforgettable emotional and musical experience.

The Turn of the Screw was a co-production with English Touring Opera.

“Grippingly directed…sumptuously passionate…chillingly taut.” The Irish Times

Watergate Theatre Kilkenny 06/02/2004

Arts Centre Mullingar08/02/2004

An Glor Ennis11/02/2004

Mermaid Arts Centre Bray13/02/2004

The Helix Dublin15,17,18/2/2004

Grand Opera House Belfast20,21/2/2004

Town Hall Dundalk26/02/2004