I am amazed.
For me this was an almost perfect piece of theatre - I wish that I had seen it at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse when it was originally produced but I am glad that they have tried to re-create the atmosphere at the Duke of York's. To that end, the set includes audience seating on stage and the lighting is largely by real candle-power ... a fact that leads to some of the six candelabra getting into the sight-lines from the higher circles, but after a moment or two you just stop noticing them.
"Farinelli, the world's most famous castrato, is rich, adored and lauded with honours. His divine voice has the power to captivate all who hear it. King Philip V of Spain lies awake. The queen, desperate to relieve her husband of his insomnia and depression, begs the castrato to come and sing to the king. The effect is transformational. Philip is healed, held captive by Farinelli's voice - but so is Farinelli."
Claire van Kampen's play is funny and poignant with modernised dialogue and a strong story arc. The script has been married with some superbly evocative set design and brilliant costume but it is the performances which truly sparkle.
Mark Rylance as the King is immensely engaging and provides a real acting masterclass - frankly had he been reading a phonebook (remember them?!) I would have watched him enthralled - when the interval came my partner and I looked at each other unable to believe an hour had gone. One of the most beautiful performances I have ever seen. Melody Grove gives us a strong Queen, the perfect foil for her husband's mad banter though her relationship with Farinelli did appear rather suddenly with no sense of a build up. Farinelli is played by Sam Crane and sung (on the night we watched) by Iestyn Davies - I was enthralled. At no point did I find having the two on stage together "odd" nor distracting - an exceptional piece of directing by John Dove. Iestyn's voice is so perfectly suited to the arias that they brought a lump to my throat and, in the case of the final Lascia Ch'io Pianga a tear to my eye.
This production has found its place in my all time top 10 ...
