Performer: Josephine Goddard

Come for the shave, stay for the comedy. Christopher Luscombe's new production of Rossini's beloved opera buffa avoids overcomplicating the plot, letting the work's humour and the abilities of the principals shine. 

Two contemporary operas give us darkness and death in riveting, inexorable performances. 

Timothy Edlin was a superb ass, first among six equals, in Liam Steel's production.