LIVING LA BOHÈME
If you think operas are only about mythological stories or fantastic worlds, think again!
WORDS RITA HORANYI
MUCH-LOVED FOR GOOD reason, La Bohème is a heart-rending tale of love, loss, laughter, and friendship, while living on the edge in a big city. Full of colourful, unforgettable characters, it’s an opera with real emotional heft that draws you into its relatable universe.
The music is glorious; the singing is divine. But what really lies at the heart of Puccini’s enduringly popular opera is storytelling. Opera Australia’s latest production of the beloved classic, leans into this aspect, emphasising the realism and contemporaneity of the tale by shifting the setting from 1830s Paris to the 1970s.
“The original creative team of Dean Bryant and [designer] Isabelle Hudson, they wanted to make it feel real. They wanted to find an authenticity to it. Their concern was the original time period for audiences today feels too romantic ... They wanted to engage more with contemporary issues, but not in a way that’s too on the nose,” explains Revival Director, Warwick Doddrell.
By capturing the energy of 1970s share houses, this new production helps bring the story home to audiences, who can remember living through the era or imagine their parents or relatives doing so. Following the experiences of four destitute artists, La Bohème focuses on the difficult choices the characters must make, and on the tragic romance between the poet Rodolfo and the seamstress Mimì. This production aims to engage audiences deeply with the reality of these experiences.
“What does it mean to be an artist for these characters and the struggle that they go through? ... Everyone can relate to the idea of being a dreamer, of having dreams of some kind and having to face reality.”
The show is set to have three runs in the Territory – in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and Darwin. At each venue, a children’s choir joins the production on stage, giving local kids an exciting opportunity to be a part of the performance.
“Obviously, it’s great to be able to engage with community in that way as well, and to give those children this opportunity ... is really special.”
With the production showing right across the NT, all can be swept away by the phenomenal music, compelling story, and tumultuous lives of the opera’s characters. Just make sure you pack your tissues. You’ll need ‘em!
La Bohème
WHEN FRI 8 & SAT 9 AUG | 7.30PM
AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
COST $64 | $59 CONC | $55 MEMB | $20 U18
INFO yourcentre.com.au
WHEN WED 13 AUG | 7PM
AT TENNANT CREEK CIVIC HALL
COST $49
INFO opera.org.au
WHEN SAT 16 AUG | 7.30PM
AT ARALUEN ARTS CENTRE
COST $80 | $76 CONC | $74 MEMB | STUDENT $72
INFO araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au
Image: Jeff Busby
