IN these days of economic gloom and dark, chilly nights, an evening of froth and utter silliness comes as a welcome respite.
And this is exactly what was on the musical menu at the Barn Theatre, Southwick, last week, with Southwick Opera's sparkling production of Franz Lehar's The Merry Widow.
Despite its chequered history – once dubbed "tuneless and unmusical" by the Viennese theatrical management team in 1905 and later having the dubious honour of being Hitler's favourite opera – this enchanting piece has survived well, and Simon Gray's production is a delight.
So what happens when a rich, beautiful widow comes to survey the talent at a ball at the Pontevedran Embassy in Paris?
Is there no end to the queue of eager suitors scribbling their names on her dance card?
If only she can get that playboy Danilo to propose, she'll be deliriously happy, and they can both spend her squillions to their hearts' content.
It's a frothy, lightweight plot, filled with flirtations, assignations and words of love scrawled on a lady's fan – the perfect precursor to the text message.
And it's all handled with the lightest touch, brimming with famous tunes that will have you humming all the way home.
As Hanna Glawari in the title role, Karen Orchin's glittering soprano voice soars effortlessly through Lehar's beautiful music.
Acting honours go to Rob Piatt as the feckless and charming Danilo – the scene where he rides an imaginary horse is terrific stuff.
There's some witty, well-timed dialogue from Martin Clarke as Baron Zeta and his right-hand man Njegus, played with tongue firmly in cheek by Guy Dudeney.
And Canadian tenor WeiHsi Hu, as the romantic Camille, is a real find.
With well co-ordinated, elegant costumes and Mike Medway's clever, atmospheric lighting, this production is a visual treat.
Another feather in the cap for this enthusiastic, talented company.
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