That Bastard Puccini

Park Theatre

Did you know that Puccini wasn't the only opera composer that wrote a 'La Boheme'? You'll learn a lot about opera from this show. Is it going to be welcomed by regular theatre go'er though?

This review is written from a theatre girly who has only just gotten into opera within the last year and a half. Background knowledge will be limited! Also, having not seen any La Boheme.

A play all about the hit opera 'La Boheme'. The piece that reveals that Ruggero Leoncavallo came up with the idea to make an opera based on the 1851 novel by Henri Murger called 'Scenes of Bohemian Life' possibly first and his opera rival Giacomo Puccini stole it! It's a race to make the next best opera and is creating it at a speed going to make the opera successful or a rushed FLOP?!

It goes without saying that the show does teach you something new! Is there room for a show in the theatre world that is all about such specific opera history? The subject is so niche that it could be too niche. As a regular theatre go'er and someone who enjoys trying something new; it was nice to learn more about opera and the big composers. Before I saw this show I knew the name Puccini, and La Boheme is on my theatre bucket list as it is so popular. However, Leoncavallo is a new name for me, and I didn't know there were more than one La Boheme's. Opera is a genre that can be seen by many as an upper class treat, which is an opinion I'd love to help change! So, the regular theatre go'er may not have seen much opera or any... or just the Phantom of The Opera. So, a show that is based on such a niche subject may not appeal or resonate with a wide audience. I left the show with a nugget of general knowledge, but not moved or shaken by the piece.

This piece of writing is conflicting... on the one hand the characters and storyline is fuelled with drama and a touch of comedy, but it's not an easy watch. It's unclear which time it is set, there are elements of the writing that get confusing. They mention as far into the future as the characters deaths... Leoncavallo says to Puccini in a heated argument how when he dies, he is dug up to do research into his DNA. Whilst it's one line, it really flips the time of the piece on its head. It's hard to determine, are we in the character's present whilst they write, is it a mixture of flashbacks or are the character's dead and re-telling their stories? The lack of clarity in setting, time and message makes the show hard to digest. The content is intriguing, it's fun at times, but the subject really is niche, the writing feels like they are spoon-feeding an abundance of opera history and makes you feel a bit like you should know more...

There are 3 actors that star in the show: Alasdair Buchan plays Leoncavallo, Lisa-Anne Wood plays the wife of Leoncavallo 'Berthe' and Sebastien Torkia plays the iconic Puccini. The two men have a lot of chemistry in their arguments. It is unclear whether Puccini is in the room at times, as the pair will speak as though Puccini isn't there and then will speak with him and it gets very confusing. The actors show a range of emotions and there are clear developments with each of the characters and their relationships with eachother. The actors do a good job with the story and portraying their characters, but the purpose of the story and the message remains vague.

Whilst the piece is filled to the brim with information about the context and characters, so much is covered in the play and without previous knowledge of the composers, genre and characters it is a lot to take in. It feels a little too niche and whilst you can relate/connect in a way to areas of the show, such as rivalry, competition and creating art, the story is just not gripping. The writer is clearly very knowledgeable, but this piece lacks clarity. The set, the actors and the production quality is great, but the play itself is just so much to take in. It just feels a little too niche. Also, it feels a little cliche for the first line of the show to be the title...