COSI FAN TUTTE

There are things in life that just work together: peanut butter and jam, David Attenborough and sloths, opera and balls. Yes, you did read that correctly. Balls – or more specifically tennis balls and cricket balls. During Pop Up Opera Company’s production of Cosi Fan Tutte, members of the audience have to watch their heads as the cast play these games in keeping with their chosen theme – a picnic. So far, I am aware this is probably making little sense, but in many ways nothing could be more fitting with Mozart’s silliest and most fanciful operatic work.

The tale of love, temptation and betrayal was played out expertly by the very talented young troupe. The scene was placed in a Downton Abbey-like set-up, complete with tea paraphernalia and a gong. The two sets of young lovers were manipulated by the wickedly cynical Don Alfonso (played by the wonderfully sonorous Alexander Learmonth). The light, bright arena of St Mary’s Church in Islington provided a perfect home for the opera. The singers ran through pews, jumped over lecterns and strutted down the aisle.

Like most reasonably reserved Englishwomen, audience participation isn’t high on my list of entertainment possibilities but the singers got the balance just right. During Despina’s ‘Una donna a quindici anni’ (expertly played by Clementine Lovell), male members of the audience did not mind being cajoled and poked with a feather duster by the (rather dishy) soprano. The moments of panto-like behaviour in the opera highlighted the moments of true beauty and despair. Eve Daniell’s Fiordiligi was sublime – her mournful ‘Per Pieta’ in the second act was as sincere as it was heartbreaking.

The conversational passages were delivered at a wonderful pace, in contrast with the rather more self-indulgent phrasing employed by the ENO in its current production of Cosi Fan Tutte. Perhaps this pace was assisted by the fact that there was a small screen that provided a hilarious running commentary throughout. The company will be touring all summer and I urge you to seek them out. Just don’t forget to duck.

Until 31 July: 07583-523827, www.popupopera.co.uk