Theatre Review - Tosca

Mario Cavaradossi (Gareth Dafydd Morris) is a painter in love with the famed opera singer Floria Tosca (Demelza Stafford). When Cavaradossi helps Angelotti, an escaped political prisoner, by offering him sanctuary in his home, he finds himself pursued by Scarpia (Francis Church) head of the Stasi, East Germany’s notorious secret police. Cavaradossi is taken in for questioning. Tosca is performing a concert in the same building and is summoned by Scarpia. Unnerved by the sounds of her lover being tortured in the next room (brilliantly conveyed by Scarpia’s shredding of photographs), Tosca breaks down and reveals Angelotti’s hiding place. Cavaradossi is arrested and faces the firing squad. Meanwhile, Scarpia suggests to Tosca that by giving herself to him she could save Cavaradossi’s life.
In Spreadbury-Maher’s engaging production Puccini’s opera is pared right down to basics but has not lost any of its drama. There are two casts of five actors that alternate nightly, accompanied by a three piece band with musical director Elspeth Wilkes on piano, Fiona Mitchell on cello and William Rudge on clarinet. Musical standards are high, although, I have to admit, a couple of the singers lacked clear diction on the night I went. Caveats aside, I like the production’s simplicity and roughness around the edges. It’s well paced (running at two and a half hours including two intervals) and imaginatively staged. Given that it all ends in tragedy, it may seem odd to conclude that this version of Tosca is a really fun evening – but it is.
Running at Soho Theatre until 15 Sep, 7.30pm
Originally published by Theatreworld