Lampooning the law: Scottish Opera’s satirical new double bill

Ross Cumming (Roger Penistone) in A Matter of Misconduct!

Kira Kaplan (The Plaintiff) in Trial by Jury

Richard Suart (The Learned Judge) in Trial by Jury

Jamie MacDougall (The Defendant) in Trial by Jury

By David Smythe, 15 May 2025

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“a tremendous showcase for Scottish Opera’s emerging artists”

Reviewed at Theatre Royal, Glasgow on 14 May 2025

Sullivan, Trial by Jury

Hession, A Matter of Misconduct! (World premiere)

Scottish Opera

Toby Hession, Conductor

Laura Attridge, Director

takis, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Ben Pickersgill, Lighting Designer

The Orchestra of Scottish Opera

Scottish Opera Chorus

John Savournin, Director

Richard Suart, The Learned Judge

Kira Kaplan, The Plaintiff, Sylvia Lawless

Jamie MacDougall, The Defendant, Sandy Hogg

Chloe Harris, Counsel for the Plaintiff, Cherry Penistone

Edward Jowle, Usher, Hugo Cheeseman

Ross Cumming, Foreman of the Jury, Roger Penistone

Kally Lloyd-Jones, Choreography

East meets West in Dai Fujikura’s The Great Wave at Scottish Opera

David Smythe, 12th February

Stuart Stratford conducts the world premiere of Fujikura’s opera about Hokusai’s image at Scottish Opera, with Satoshi Miyagi directing with his Japanese creative team.

***11

Sepia memories: Scottish Opera’s La bohème delights in revival

David Smythe, 11th October

Hye-Youn Lee and Mario Chang head a strong cast in Barbe and Doucet’s revival of La bohème, which marks the retirement of veteran lighting designer, Guy Simard.

****1

Scottish Opera’s Merry Widow tangles with the New York Mafia

David Smythe, 30th April

With misplaced horse heads, violin case guns and as many mafia gags as you could hope for, Scottish Opera’s Merry Widow may not be subtle but it looks and sounds gorgeous.

****1

The Makropulos Affair defies the march of time

Mark Valencia, 15th February

Orla Boylan’s creation oozes charisma and reeks of entitlement, driven to emotional cruelty by the lassitude of a life too-long lived.

****1

Scottish Opera’s Albert Herring: as fresh as dew on a May morning

David Smythe, 22nd October

Scottish Opera’s Albert Herring is updated to 1990 in Daisy Evans' likeable production, finely sung with a tight ensemble.

****1

Barbe and Doucet's stylish Don Pasquale is a comic delight

David Smythe, 12th October

Barbe and Doucet’s witty 1960s Don Pasquale is revived for Scottish Opera, with Stuart Stratford conducting a fine cast.

****1

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David Smythe

David the farmer was drawn into music through choirs, orchestras, taking part in and directing 'serious' opera as a student. Passionate about live classical music, particularly chamber opera, unusual pieces and events and giving the next generation the tools to engage with the classical world.