Warning! I feel as if I am about to overuse the adjective “superb”! But Baseless Fabric’s adaptation of Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love, presented as part of this year’s Grimeborn Festival, must rank as one of the most enjoyable hours that I have spent in a theatre this year!
If you look at their website you will see that the company is based in south London and specialises in taking opera to those who might not otherwise experience it, such as care homes, schools and “grey town centres… and that this shouldn’t only be available… for those who can afford it”.
Joanna Turner and Leo Geyer’s adaptation was originally intended as a piece of street theatre, set at a bus stop: in fact, probably more than one bus stop as the piece is divided into several scenes and one can imagine the cast of four plus band of three performing one scene, then jumping on a bus and moving to a different place!
The C21 plot, loosely following Romani and Scribe’s original, concerns Nemorino, who is a “bus spotter”, sometimes known colloquially as a “moquette”, after the fabric used for bus seats! He stands enthralled at bus stops with his first edition of “Buses Illustrated,” and you have heard nothing until you experience the most famous aria from the opera “Una Furtiva Lagrima” sung, not in praise of Adina, the girl he supposedly loves, but in praise of buses! Jonathan Cooke is most amusing in his role of joint bus and Adina lover, being very stylish both in his singing and acting and ensuring, as do the rest of the cast, that we hear every word.
Adina is brightly sung and acted by Abigail Kelly, demonstrating an agile, very pleasant, voice which is powerful yet easy on the ear. Jack Holton is the other side of the triangle of love, whilst admitting that if he is not successful with Adina, there are plenty more women out there, as he looks around the audience. He possesses a most attractive high baritone and a true sense of fun.
Nemorino is a sucker for a “bargain” and when Del Boy look alike Dulcamara comes along in the role of a street trader, he is easily persuaded to part with his money to buy a spray can of “Love Effect” which guarantees success with any girl! In fact, he is so desperate that he sells his prize possession – Buses Illustrated – in order to get a second can, which he sprays liberally everywhere! Peter Edge is “superb” as Dulcamara: he possesses a rich bass voice, but as with the rest of the company, has a true sense of comedy and continually plays up to the audience. His uses his trademark sunglasses to great effect, and even tries to sell his Love Effect to members of the audience, and almost succeeds – but he does require £20 ready money per can, cash or card!
Joanna Turner has produced a very witty, bang-up-to-date English version, with frequent references to TikTok and “plonkers” and the enunciation of all four singers ensures that the show is very amusing throughout, often laugh out loud! Her direction never gets in the way of the opera: just light and frothy, as Donizetti intended.
I have still to mention the three-piece band, led by bassoonist Leo Geyer, who has arranged the music for himself as well as violin (Philippa Mo) and piano accordion (Yulia Humeniuk). This choice of instruments is inspired, so much better than a lone piano or string quartet. The accordion is very large (and heavy!) and you have seen nothing until Humeniuk does a long tremolo – her fingers apparently staying still whilst the instrument shakes! The variety of sound she conjures from it is amazing and totally in the spirit of the opera.
A simple set consisting of boxes on which the cast can sit if they ever have time has been designed by Marina Hadjilouca as well as practical costumes, including a summer weight anorak for Nemorino.
The Elixir of Love is only showing at Arcola Theatre until this Saturday before returning, presumably by bus, to south London and I do urge anyone who has never experienced opera to see it and enjoy! If you really want to get in the spirit of the piece, you can catch a 149 from London Bridge or 243 from Waterloo straight to the theatre!
Great fun – very imaginative – superb in every respect!
Review by John Groves
Adina is beautiful, popular and doesn’t believe in true love. Nemorino is geeky, shy and in love with Adina – and with buses.
When Dulcamara turns up selling the latest social media craze – The Love Effect fragrance – Nemorino thinks his dreams have come true and Adina might finally fall for him. But will his dreams go awry when her usual type, the good-looking, arrogant Belcore shows up?
Follow our characters’ entangled love story in this bold contemporary re-imagining of The Elixir of Love story for London life today.
Abigail Kelly – Adina
Peter Edge – Dulcamara
Jonathan Cooke – Nemorino
Jack Holton – Belcore
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Libretto by and Directed by Joanna Turner
Leo Geyer – Musical Arranger and Musical Director
Rachel Kraftman – Producer
Marina Hadjilouca – Set and Costume Designer
Philippa Mo – Violinist
Yuliia Humeniukm – Accordionist
Joe Price – Lighting Designer
GRIMEBORN OPERA: THE ELIXIR OF LOVE
Arcola Theatre
29 July to 2 August 2025
