Desdemona and children's chorus by Katchooo
On Monday 7th December I went to see Birmingham Opera Company’s production of Othello at the Argyll warehouse on Great Barr Street street. I would have written about it immediately afterwards urging everyone go to see it if it wasn’t already completely sold out for the rest of the run. And it was easy to see why – BOC’s productions are always unusual, often taking over disused places to create a really immersive performance that the audience become players within.
This was no exception – looking for the entrance to the old industrial unit in a pretty deserted part of Digbeth reminded me of looking for illegal parties as a youngster. As I walked into the warehouse, past the Morris dancers into the performance space, I soon noticed that some of the people milling around appeared to be praying. After a quick discussion with one about the meaning of his rosary beads, they soon burst into song and started the show around us, getting us all involved in some strange, operatic hokey-cokey. And it all went wonderfully on from there.
Dancing in Othello, photo by Katchooo
During the interval, a friend remarked it was the first non-conventional opera he’d been to, which made me realise Birmingham Opera Company are the only operas I’ve ever been to. That’s what makes them so great – the sheer, all consuming experience that are their productions attract much more than the traditional opera audience. I must mention the fantastic dancing in the second half – I never thought Morris dancing could be sinister until I saw it performed by people in white hooded jumpsuits and black balaclavas. And, of course, the singing was perfect – Stephanie Corley as the put-upon Desdemona seemed to do something special for me.
Anyway, here’s some links:
- Index of Reviews from the likes of The Observer, The Times, Birmingham Post, etc. compiled by Pete Ashton
- Created in Birmingham’s Chris Unitt thinks we should parade BOC Artistic Director Graham Vick through the Birmingham streets in triumph. He’s not wrong.
- Nikki Pugh was struck by how successfully the audience were herded around the space, making her think of a ‘massively multi-player installation.’
- There are some interesting photography sets on Flickr from chorus members Pete Ashton, Fiona Cullinan and Antonio Roberts, with some insightful backstage shots.
I don’t know what Birmingham Opera Company are up to next, but you can bet it will be something equally mind-blowing. If there’s a chance of becoming a part of the performance, grab it with both hands.
