Jonathan Dove’s Itch at Opera Holland Park

Xavier Hetherington (Itch)

Itch at Opera Holland Park

Xavier Hetherington (Itch), Natasha Agarwal (Jack), Victoria Simmonds (Watkins)

James Hall (Berghahn), Rebecca Bottone (Roshanna Wing)

Nicholas Garrett (Flowerdew)

By David Karlin, 04 June 2025

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“whatever the subject of the moment... Dove finds a combination of instruments to enthral you”

Reviewed at Holland Park Theatre, London on 3 June 2025

Dove, Itch

Opera Holland Park

Matthew Scott Rogers, Conductor

Stephen Barlow, Director

Frankie Bradshaw, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Jake Wiltshire, Lighting Designer

City of London Sinfonia

Opera Holland Park Chorus

Xavier Hetherington, Itchingham Lofte

Natasha Agarwal, Jack Lofte

Rebecca Bottone, Jude Lofte, Roshanna Wing

Eric Greene, Nicholas Lofte

Nicholas Garrett, Nathaniel Flowerdew

Robert Burt, Bob Evert, Kinch

James Hall, Cake, Berghahn

Victoria Simmonds, Watkins

Born to sing Lucia: Jennifer France shines at Opera Holland Park

Mark Valencia, 18th July

Cecilia Stinton’s new production of Lucia di Lammermoor doesn't necessarily make best use of OHP’s performance space, but the singers excel.

***11

A mafioso Merry Widow at Opera Holland Park

Dominic Lowe, 19th June

Despite some excellent music-making, John Savournin's production is hindered by a laboured New York relocation.

**111

Doomed Dutchman wants a wife: Wagner makes Opera Holland Park debut

Eleanor Knight, 27th May

Amid the rough winds of late May, Julia Burbach directs Opera Holland Park's first venture into Wagner – The Flying Dutchman.

***11

Trapped in a vice: Il segreto di Susanna and Pagliacci at OHP

Dominic Lowe, 17th July

Joining OHP's 2019 production of Wolf-Ferrari's charming domestic comedy, a blazing new production of Pagliacci delivers everything that one could want from Leoncavallo's infamous opera.

*****

Puccini's Edgar makes a rare appearance at Opera Holland Park

Dominic Lowe, 2nd July

Is Puccini's second opera unloved and unlovable? Opera Holland Park makes a commendable attempt to revive Edgar, but struggles to overcome its many flaws.

***11

Cecilia Stinton directs a delightful new Barbiere at OHP

Dominic Lowe, 4th June

Deftly conducted by Charlotte Corderoy, Cecilia Stinton's new production of Rossini's immortal comedy brims with fun.

****1

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David Karlin

David is a co-founder of Bachtrack. He is a musical omnivore interested in almost all types of music, but with a particular love of Italian opera. You can contact him from this link.

Jonathan Dove’s Itch at Opera Holland Park: the fascination of the elements