La Bohème

Presented by Opera Australia and The Events Centre, Caloundra, this new staging of Puccini's La Bohème breathes fresh life into a classic with a fun, energetic pace and style. This wonderful show makes you slow down and believe in romance again after a long week of workdays, schedules and deadlines with the sweet courtship including delicate moments of gentle intimacy and cheeky flirting. The audience around me was smiling, giggling and laughing along with the antics and theatrical flair of the unfolding story. 

The production successfully brings a new energy to the timeless opera, making it accessible and engaging. Director Dean Bryant’s warm wit is evident throughout the production, and there is an exciting use of the stage area and lighting to showcase the characters of the actors and accentuate the emotions. The live orchestra music is a sensual highlight, carrying you through the romance, fiery confrontations and into despair as Mimi and Rodolpho share their journey. Mimi captures your heart as she falls into this tumultuous love affair, and Rodolpho carries you along with his longing, desperation and tormented emotions.

This engaging Opera Australia production confidently captures the rising ecstasy of love and the pain of ruinous jealousy. My favourite quote to swoon by: "Sometimes all of my jewels are stolen by a thief: beautiful eyes." The show at The Event Centre was a sell-out, which shows great local support in the region for the arts.

This production is by The Opera Conference and is supported by Creative Australia, Creative Victoria, and Create NSW.

Director: Dean Bryant

Revival Director: Warwick Doddrell

Conductor: Simon Bruckard

Set & Costume Designer: Isabel Hudson

Lighting Designer: Damien Cooper

Opera Australia’s national tour continues until the end of August.

Find out more: opera.org.au/events/national-tour/la-boheme

Review by Angela Reedman-Polinski

Photos from Opera Australia