SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL

John Metcalf, A Chair in Love: Soloists, Pentaèdre Wind Quintet, Taliesin Theatre, Swansea 13.7.2008 (MS)

Composer:John Metcalf
Libretto:  Larry Tremblay


Successful film-maker Truman believes he is the genius the critics say he is but decides he needs to experience love and will make that his new movie project. Nothing odd about that:  apart from the fact that the object of his amour is a chair.  Did I mention the chair sings as does his faithful but understandably jealous mutt?

Crafted by one of our leading Welsh composers John Metcalf with a sparkling, witty and engaging script by Quebec playwright Larry Tremblay, this show is from start to finish an absolute - and absolutely hilarious - delight. It is also poignant and very sad but you are left with a real feel good smile on your face after the 80 or so minutes.

I saw the show on the opening night at the Taliesin Theatre in Swansea where the day before several hundred kids had seen it too and evidently loved it -so much so that at one point their laughter almost risked swamping the performance.

Big proud smiles then at the Taliesin  for having been able to put together a second UK tour of this opera which was created as a co-production three years ago. This time round Cardiff also gets a chance to see what has been achieved in Swansea.

Supported by an international collaboration between Wales and Quebec, this show works for kids because it is full of zaniness with the singing dog and chair and has plenty of other humour. But  it is also a clever show for adults, musically accomplished and accessible with a interesting theme.

Directed by Keith Turnbull the show also breaks with convention by not having a conductor: rather it integrates the musicians from the wind quintet Pentaèdre into the action.

The lovers are Truman, sung by a richly voiced baritone French Canadian Pierre-Étienne Bergeron and the Chair beautifully created by sparkling Welsh soprano Charlotte Ellett. The loyal Dog is magically sung and realised by New York-based bass Michael Douglas Jones and the Dogtor/Doctor is the cheeky and charismatic mezzo Mireille Lebel.

Unlike some other rather heavy and soporific efforts aimed at young people by well-funded opera organisations this work is a blast for adults and children alike. You really will believe a dog can sing and a chair can sing and, well, fly. You would be barking mad to miss it. Woof, woof.

Mike Smith


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