Director Sam Weatherstone shoehorns popular love songs by composer Claudio Giovanni Antonio Monteverdi (1567-1643) into a modernised telling of the Echo and Narcissus myth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echo_and_Narcissus) written in 8 AD by Ovid (43 BC - AD 17/18).

It's the story of Echo, a gossip doomed to repeat just the ends of phrases, who falls for Narcissus, fated to die for the love of his own reflection. The result is a pleasant but clumsy hour of semi-dramatic, rather wooden musical theatre. Much of the singing remains staid and choral and the story does not fully come across. While innocuous enough, the production is more cosy and wet than it is flame and frost.

The set is a party. This is unimaginatively suggested by a few plastic wine glasses, carafes of (UK blackcurrant drink) Ribena and some high-backed black chairs, all laid out in front of an orchestra. This lack-lustre attempt at a set indicates the level of theatricality and stage-awareness apparent in the show. Costumes are boring at best - mismatched cocktail dresses for men and dinner jackets for the men. Simply moving around a stage and a handful of tableaus is not enough to make excellent music into gratifying theatre.

Sam Weatherstone is cast as the master of ceremonies, narrating the tale about to be told. The whole thing is a little too middle-class-drawing-room to be engaging. But he is a likeable narrator, and proves an excellent singer (one of the company's strongest in terms of both tone and expression) and trumpeter.

The cast and orchestra comprise competent musicians, working together especially powerfully at times. Sopranos soar (if breathily) and males voices provide a rich and strong bedrock of sound, painting the music's anger and passion well. Changes of lighting help create mood, even though they are a bit clichéd.

Special mention must go to Sarah Holland and Bethany Seymour whose clarity of tone in their solo and duet moments, and accurate interpretations, stand out. Edward Ingham also has a unique voice and sings with precision and tenderness.

Weaker vocal choices are evident. Sam Bardesley's assumedly comic singing falsetto as Lilaea (Echo's competition for the affections of Narcissus), leads to some painful musical moments as his voice breaks and cracks and loses its richness. Considering the task asked of him he manages very well, but the gag of the man in drag is not strong enough to make amends for the musical loss.

Neither Echo (Nancy Cole) nor Narcissus (John Holland-Avery) shine. Though Nancy Cole lends warmth and sweetness to the role, her vocals are weak. John Holland-Avery has a nice voice but one which does not come over as special. Both are inhibited in terms of acting. The result evokes little care about the story's protagonists.

The orchestra create a good tone and follow the singers well. Bringing together modern jazz sounds and period instruments - for example harpsichord (Andrew Passmore) and theorbo (Elena Cicinskate) - is well done if unoriginal.

Overall Monteverdi: Flame and Frost is a pleasant evening's entertainment, but neither ground-breaking nor charged with the passion the title suggests.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Sam Bardsley - Lilaea. Nancy Cole - Echo. John Holland Avery - Narcissus. / Sarah Holland - Lilaea's Entourage. Bethany Seymour - Lilaea's Entourage. / Sam Weatherstone - Chorus. Nick Corrin - Chorus. Will Campbell Gibson - Chorus. Howard Thompson - Chorus. Edd Ingham - Chorus. Amelia Berridge - Chorus. Katy Wood - Chorus. Sinead Faherty - Chorus. Amy Walsh - Chorus. Lottie Johnson - Chorus.

Orchestra Credits: (alpha order): Elena Cicinskate - Theorbo/Baroque Guitar. Jess Conway - Violin. Will Campbell Gibson - Accordion. Sarah Morpurgo - Flute. Andrew Passmore - Harpsichord. Sam Weatherstone - Trumpet.

Company Credits: Composer - Claudio Giovanni Antonio Monteverdi (1567-1643). Writer - Sam Weatherstone. Director - Sam Weatherstone. Lighting - Callum Docherty. Sound Designer - uncredited. Technical Operator - uncredited. Associate and Advising Director - Will Maynard. Front of House - Chris Parsons. Producer - Sam Weatherstone. Company - Echori Theatre Company.

END

(c) Rebecca Gibson 2011

reviewed Tuesday 9 August 11 – The Space @ Niddry Street – Edinburgh, UK

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com