Phaedra + Minotaur at the Linbury: truly arresting performances

Christine Rice (Phaedra) and Jonathan Goddard (Minotaur) in Deborah Warner's Phaedra

Christine Rice as Phaedra in Deborah Warner's Phaedra

Tommy Franzén (Dionysus) and Kristen McNally (Ariadne) in Kim Brandstrup's Minotaur

Jonathan Goddard (Theseus) and Tommy Franzén (Minotaur) in Kim Brandstrup's Minotaur

Kristen McNally (Ariadne) and Tommy Franzén (Dionysus) in Kim Brandstrup's Minotaur

By Amanda Jennings, 07 February 2025

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“the cantata is a work of superb musicianship that truly brings a tragic story to life”

Reviewed at Royal Opera House: Linbury Theatre, London on 6 February 2025

Britten, Phaedra, Op.93

Morris, Minotaur

The Royal Opera

Richard Hetherington, Conductor

Deborah Warner, Director

Antony McDonald, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Chris Wilkinson, Lighting Designer

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden

Christine Rice, Mezzo-soprano

Kim Brandstrup, Choreography

Jonathan Goddard, Dancer

Tommy Franzen, Dancer

Kristen McNally, Dancer

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****1

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*****

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Mark Valencia, 8th January

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*****

Turandot drowned in an orchestral tsunami at The Royal Opera

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***11

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Amanda Jennings

Amanda wrote for Dance Europe for twelve years and has also written for Dance Australia and Dance International. She trained at Arts Educational and with David Howard, Melissa Hayden, Patricia Wilde and Valentina Pereyaslavec in New York. She danced for two years with New Jersey Ballet, and in the UK with Vienna Festival Ballet and Vyvyan Lorrayne’s London’s Imperial Ballet. Her freelance career included work with the Royal Opera, ENO, film, television and modelling. She was in the original cast of On Your Toes with Natalia Makarova. Amanda also taught extensively and holds the diploma of the PDTC at the RAD with Distinction.