TOSCA

By English Touring Opera

The Lyceum Theatre Sheffield – 3/4/06

Puccini’s Tosca, the betrayed heroine, took the plunge once more last night as the English Touring Opera pulled into Sheffield for a whistle stop visit to the Lyceum. As a touring opera there were many aspects of this show that deserve praise, not least the minimalist staging, highly effective and atmospheric lighting and of course the magnificent score by Puccini.

Sean Ruane was a highly effective Cavaradossi, his fine pure voice complementing a warm and insightful performance and Julie Unwin’s interpretation of Tosca was also effective and believable.

The only problem with the production, that many people commented on in both intervals was the performance of Craig Smith as Scarpia. Unfortunately, what could have been a fine performance – he certainly seemed to be acting the role – was hugely diminished by the fact that for most of his performance the audience struggled to hear anything that he sang. His baritone, although no doubt technically good, failed to carry much beyond the front row, leaving most in the audience cold and bitterly disappointed.

Imagine a Romeo and Juliet where all of Romeo’s speeches were inaudible and you’ll get the idea of what watching this production was like. You know in your heart just how great it can be, but sadly for this performance a very important third of it failed to get past the footlights. For that it will remain as a missed opportunity and a disappointment rather than the heartbreaking event that it is supposed to be.

Tosca is on tour until the end of May - which is hopefully time enough to put right what is so obviously wrong for the audiences to come.

Fri	07/04/06	De La Warr Pavillion, Bexhill on Sea	Tosca	£11-£22	01424 229111
Sat	08/04/06	De La Warr Pavillion,Bexhill on Sea	Jenufa	£11-£22	01424 229111
Mon	10/04/06	Hall for Cornwall, Truro	Tosca	£12-£20.50	01872 262466
Tues	11/04/06	Hall for Cornwall, Truro	Jenufa	£12-£20.50	01872 262466
Weds	12/04/06	Hall for Cornwall, Truro	Tosca	£12-£20.50	01872 262466
Thurs	20/04/06	The Lighthouse, Poole	Tosca	£19.50. Book both for £34	01202 685222
Fri	21/04/06	The Lighthouse, Poole	Jenufa	£19.50. Book both for £34.	01202 685222	6.15pm
Sat	22/04/06	The Lighthouse, Poole	Tosca	£19.50. Book both for £34	01202 685222
Mon	24/04/06	Salisbury City Hall	Tosca	£14-£20	01722 434434
Tues	25/04/06	Salisbury City Hall	Jenufa	£14-£20	01722 434434
Fri	28/04/06	Kendal Leisure Centre	Tosca	£12-£18	01539 729702	6:30pm
Sat	29/04/06	Kendal Leisure Centre	Jenufa	£12-18	01539 729702	6:30pm
Fri	28/04/06	Arts Depot Finchley (8pm)	Pagliacci	£18-£22	020 83695454
Sat	29/04/06	Arts Depot Finchley (8pm)	Pagliacci	£18-£22	020 83695454
Tues	02/05/06	Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton	Tosca	£9.50-£24.50	01902 429212
Weds	03/05/06	Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton	Jenufa	£9.50-£24.50	01902 429212
Tues	02/05/06	Northcott Theatre, Exeter	Pagliacci	£16-£26	01392 493493
Weds	03/05/06	Northcott Theatre, Exeter	Pagliacci	£16-£26	01392 493493
Fri	05/05/06	Northcott Theatre, Exeter	Pagliacci	£16-£26	01392 493493
Sat	06/05/06	Northcott Theatre, Exeter	Pagliacci	£16-£26	01392 493493
Thurs	04/05/06	Buxton Opera House	Tosca	£13.50-£29.50	0845 1272190
Fri	05/05/06	Buxton Opera House	Jenufa	£13-£25.50	0845 1272190
Sat	06/05/06	Buxton Opera House	Tosca	£13.50-£29.50	0845 1272190
Tues	09/05/06	Newbury Spring Festival	Pagliacci	£18	01635 522733
Tues	09/05/06	Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham	Tosca	£12.50-£25	01242 572573
Weds	10/05/06	Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham	Jenufa	£12.50-£25	01242 572573	6.30pm
Thurs	11/05/06	Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham	Tosca	£12.50-£25	01242 572573
Thurs	11/05/06	The Brix, Brixton (8pm)	Pagliacci in Concert	£12	020 7833 2555
Fri	12/05/06	Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham	Jenufa	£12.50-£25	01242 572573
Sat	13/05/06	Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham	Tosca	£12.50-£25	01242 572573
Tues	13/05/06	Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage (7:45pm)	Pagliacci	£13.50-£18.50	08700 131 030
Tues	16/05/06	Octagon Theatre, Yeovil	Pagliacci	£22-£25	01935 422884
Tues	16/05/06	Warwick Arts Centre	Tosca	£18-£25	024 76524524
Weds	17/05/06	Warwick Arts Centre	Jenufa	£18-£25	024 76524524
Thurs	18/05/06	Warwick Arts Centre	Tosca	£18-£25	024 76524524
Thurs	18/05/06	Seven Oaks Playhouse	Pagliacci	£23	01732 450175
Fri	19/05/06	Warwick Arts Centre	Jenufa	£18-£25	024 76524524
Sat	20/05/06	Warwick Arts Centre	Tosca	£18-£25	024 76524524
Sat	20/05/06	South Hill Park, Bracknell	Pagliacci	£12-£17.50	01344 484123
Mon	22/05/06	Gala Theatre Durham	Tosca	£23.50-£25	0191 3324041	6.30pm
Tues	23/05/06	Gala Theatre Durham	Jenufa	£23.50-£25	0191 3324041	6.30pm
Mon	23/05/06	Corn Exchange, Kings Lynn	Pagliacci	£15.50-£17.50	01553 764864
Thurs	25/05/06	Perth Festival	Tosca	£11-£28	01738 472706
Thurs	25/05/06	Middlesbrough Theatre	Pagliacci	£10-£12.50	01642 815181
Fri	26/05/06	Perth Festival	Jenufa	£11-£28	01738 472706
Sat	27/05/06	Perth Festival	Tosca	£11-£28	01738 472706
Sat	27/05/06	The Place Oakengates Theatre,Telford	Pagliacci	£10-£15	01952 619020

Written by Paul Tyree

www.paultyree.co.uk