Two-by-two in Stratford East: Britten's Noye's Fludde on location

By Mark Valencia, 04 July 2019

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“if you’re willing to be manipulated there’s a wondrous hour in store”

Reviewed at Theatre Royal Stratford East, London on 3 July 2019

Britten, Noye's Fludde (Chester mystery play)

English National Opera

Lyndsey Turner, Director

Marcus Farnsworth, Mr Noye

Louise Callinan, Mrs Noye

Suzanne Bertish, The Voice of God

Sarah Dowling Dance Company

English National Opera Orchestra

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Kip Williams and ENO mount an extraordinary new production of Du Yun and Royce Vavrek’s multifaceted opera, with performances of great emotional directness broadcast live on camera.

*****

ENO’s Mahagonny: biting, bleak, brilliantly executed satire

David Karlin, 16th February

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*****

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Dominic Lowe, 6th February

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****1

Cocteau-esque camp: Alden’s Partenope returns to ENO

Mark Valencia, 20th November

Christopher Alden’s Olivier Award-winning production of Handel’s Partenope returns to the Coliseum, but it's the singing that earns the plaudits.

****1

Dead Man Walking at English National Opera: a superb execution

David Karlin, 1st November

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Comedy falls flat in ENO's season opening Cinderella

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**111

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Mark Valencia

Mark has worked in arts journalism for four decades, both as a writer and as a French-English translator. Nowadays he focuses his energies on reviewing opera and music. Mark also writes for Opera magazine and for Musical America as a correspondent for Europe and the UK.