Anna Burnside reviews a production filled with excellent performances that proves to be ‘as much fun as it’s possible to have on a red velvet seat.’
It’s Rome in the 1960s, and corpulent cat lover Don Pasquale is drifting through life in his decrepit pensione. Surrounded by feline ornaments - he is allergic to the real thing - he festers in an armchair, stirring occasionally to shout at the equally dilapidated staff.
But this torpor cannot continue. His nephew plans to marry a penniless widow and Pasquale vows to get down the aisle first. To foil this scheme, the nephew and Pasquale’s doctor cook up a cunning counter-plan that plays on his intended’s cat-like charms.
Scottish Opera’s La Dolce Vita-fied version of Donizetti’s delightful comic opera delighted audiences on its first outing 10 years ago, and it has lost none of its charm.
David Stout is endearing as the old goat Pasquale, with both the vocal chops for the deceptively demanding score and the acting ability to be a figure of fun who also manages to keep the audience on side.
Canadian soprano Simone Osborne, standing in for Stacey Alleaume, is a no-nonsense Norina, relishing spending Pasquale’s money on flashy modernist furniture and extravagant hats.
Excellent performances are enhanced by set and costumes designed by directors Renaud Doucet and André Barbe. There are visual jokes, brilliantly creative use of lines of washing and clever riffs on the feline theme.
And if all that was not enough joy, enter a real chihuahua in the final scene. It’s as much fun as it’s possible to have on a red velvet seat.
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Don Pasquale performs at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow until October 26, 2024. It then tours to Eden Court in Inverness (Oct 31-Nov 2), the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh (Nov 8-16) and Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre (Nov 21). For further details, check Scottish Opera’s website.
Photo by Jane Barlow.
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