THE ENCHANTED PIG
A Musical Tale By Jonathan Dove, Libretto by Alasdair Middleton
Buxton International Festival, Pavilion Arts Centre, July 2021
★★★★
"...an outstanding wealth of youthful talent on stage for this revival of a piece inhabiting the borderland between opera and musical theatre."
George Hall, The Stage
Premiering at the Young Vic in 2006, The Enchanted Pig is a community opera. The story finds its roots in Romanian and Norwegian folk tales, and musically blends the worlds of opera, musical theatre, vaudeville, and musical comedy. The music is through-composed for a cast of opera singers and singing actors, and has delighted audiences across the UK and USA in professional and amateur productions.
Following the success of the 2020 Manchester University Music Society production, Buxton International Festival extended an invitation for Nick to direct the work once again as part of their 2021 summer festival. The production marked the launch of Platform 3, a new initiative designed to create opportunities for all ages to create, perform and engage with the arts.
2021 BIF Platform 3 Creative TeamDirector / Co-Producer - Nick Bond
Conductor - Katherine Stonham
Répétiteur - Max Macmillan
Co-Producer - Thomas Clough
Designer - Ellie Klouda
Publicity Manager - Freya Parry
Lighting Designer - Rachel Cleary
Stage Manager - Lauren Owen
Conductor - Katherine Stonham
Répétiteur - Max Macmillan
Co-Producer - Thomas Clough
Designer - Ellie Klouda
Publicity Manager - Freya Parry
Lighting Designer - Rachel Cleary
Stage Manager - Lauren Owen
Cast
Flora - Katherine Macaulay
Pig - Jonathan Reynolds
Adelaide - Freya Parry
Old Woman / Book of Fate - Verity Stroud
Mab/Mrs Northwind - Ellie Klouda
Dot - Molly Sprouting
King Hildebrand - Thomas Clough
Moon - Thomas Green
Sun / King of the East - Harry Dichmont
Day - Grace Gammell
King of the West - Dexter Drown
Northwind - Dominic Carver
Band
Trombone - Ben Attfield
Cello - Rebekah Clarke Double Bass - Minnie Elliott Percussion - Alex Kennett Harp - Emma Magee Piano / Accordion - Max Macmillan
The Enchanted Pig (★★★★)
...an outstanding wealth of youthful talent on stage for this revival of a piece inhabiting the borderland between opera and musical theatre.
Simple and economical yet effective designs by Ellie Klouda form the backdrop to Bond's skilful staging, with a small but vitally engaged pit band to one side, confidently conducted by Katherine Stonham.
George Hall, The Stage
Nick Bond directed an excellent young cast headed by the pure and compelling voice of Katherine Macaulay as Flora
Mark Ronan, The Article
Director Nick Bond steered everyone deftly around the minimal set. [...] First staged in 2006, The Enchanted Pig already feels destined for classic status, and this production will have helped it on its way enormously.
Mike Wheeler, Classical Music Daily
It is full of youthful exuberance and enthusiasm, fast moving, musically varied and very funny [...] The Enchanted Pig appeals to all ages.
Mavis Kirkham, Sheffield Telegraph
*Photographs by Genevieve Girling