Don Giovanni

Review

It is a courageous move to take a much-loved opera and drag it resolutely into the 21st century. But Opera Anywhere's updated version of Don Giovanni, unveiled at the Jacqueline du Pré this week, is bright, fresh, witty and dramatic. I must admit to feeling some scepticism about this production, particularly after the mauling it was given by entrepreneur Harvey Goldsmith in the recent Channel 4 documentary Get Your Act Together. So it was a pleasant surprise to see how seamlessly the plot translates into its new setting, and how the characters and Mozart's music emerge relatively unscathed.

Librettist Anna Pelly, a former lawyer, has moved the action to the cut-throat environment of investment banking in the late 1990s, where the ruthless but charismatic Don exists as naturally as in Da Ponte's original setting. Giovanni makes his entrance disguised as a pizza-delivering hoodie, before taking up his position as the new partner in the London-based investment bank, Hottshotz Grabbitz, which is headed by Mr Mendatore. Donna Anna and Don Ottavio are the other two partners; Zerlina and Masetto are junior office workers; Donna Elvira is an American lawyer, recently jilted by Don Giovanni and now intent on pursuing him; and Leporello is the Don's hapless chauffeur. The plot, despite being adapted to its new setting, is still recognisably that of Da Ponte. The libretto sails close to the wind with its use of expletives, but it bristles with vitality and humour.

It almost seems unfair to single out any of the exceptionally talented young cast, but for me William Coleman shines as an energetic and loveable Leporello. His delivery of the 'catalogue' song is a highlight, as is his jiving to rock group Queen during the supper scene.

Nicola Lisle, May 2007, The Oxford Times