Director John Savournin and designer takis took the brave decision to update The Merry Widow to Manhattan in New York and Sicily in Italy in the 1950's.This gave a wonderful opportunity to feature the beautiful gowns of that decade and the power plays of the Sicilian mafiosi. John Savournin, together with collaborator David Eaton, updated the libretto and opened up the possibilites of much comic mirth in this wonderful three act operetta.
learn moreThe Merry Widow was originally set in the diplomatic world of embassy parties and the Parisian world of cabaret at the Café de Paris. This production updated the action from the early 1900's to the 1950's and transported us from an Act One in Don Zeta's ritzy New York apartment, to Hanna's Sicilian opulent lemon grove in Act Two, and back to New York's Café de Paris (yes, there was one) for the final act.
In the title role, Paula Sides dazzled as Hanna, the widow, and she was equally matched by Alex Otterburn as her Danillo. Henry Waddington gave a spirited Don Zeta, and Rhian Lois and Willian Morgan shared hilarious farcical scenes in the second act lemon grove in Sicily.
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Our recent double bill of Trial by Jury and A Matter of Misconduct are now available to view on Opera Vision globally
Learn MoreOur 2025 collaboration with Scottish Opera and Opera Holland Park - The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar, Trial by Jury by Gilbert and Sullivan, and A Matter of Misconduct by Toby Hession and Emma Jenkins
Learn MoreGuests gathered at Eyot House on D'Oyly Carte Island on the evening of 25th March to celebrate 150 years of Gilbert & Sullivan with D'Oyly Carte
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