The current Don Giovanni production at the Manoel Theatre was advertised as being different. “New and daring” they called it. Our curiosity was raised by implying a surprising and innovative approach. Jack Furness didn't disappoint. Apart from him taking an entirely contemporary approach he also gave his production a unique twist. As the curtain opened the audience got the impression of sitting in a movie theatre watching the reel start with the countdown. Nice touch!
And of course, it did turn out to be daring. Especially for Malta where we are still very much used to the traditional and lavish productions of the Gozo opera houses. There the most risqué it gets is a deep décolletage and the most contemporary manifestation might be a trench coat or a modern dress in the costume department.
Not so under Furness’ direction. He put it all in, sex, rape, drugs, and indeed pole dancing. The setting is in gangland, the mood is uncomfortable. Opinions of course will be mixed but for me it worked. Mozart’s music and Da Ponte’s libretto can take this sort of interpretation. Reading the surtitles while watching the action unfold made me nod internally and say: yes, that’s what would have happened in our time. Mozart’s hometown of Salzburg has been showing productions like this for years on its festival stage. So it is safe to assume that “Wolferl” would have approved of it too.
One personal grievance is that the costumes were maybe too reminiscent of Paceville on a Saturday night; girls continuously pulling their skintight elasticated dresses down, the occasional man in an ill fitting coat - somehow that upset the aesthetics for me.
And maybe the revolving set which was used to convey a “filmic technique of swiping between scenes” - as Furness puts it - could have been a tad smaller so not to crowd out the cast as much.
My personal applause goes to the two local sopranos, Claire Debono in the role of Donna Elvira and Nicola Said in the role of Zerlina who put on well rounded performances.
So do you fancy a change from period costumes and sex implied only in the libretto? Then see if you can still find a ticket and get ready for something that - as the artistic director of the Manoel put it - “may possibly take you out of your comfort zone”.
Watch Jack Furness talk about the concept and set in this video clip.
Here is the official Valletta 2018 programme page for this production where you can also find a link to buy tickets.
And here is the most famous aria of this opera.