THE CUNNING
LITTLE VIXEN
L-R : Richard Hudson (Designer),
Kathy Foulkes (NSCT),
Annabel Arden (Director). |
As a result of the NSCT's decision to take part in Opera
North's 'Sponsor a Costume' scheme, a member of the Society was invited to
attend a presentation, lunch and the Dress Rehearsal of the Cunning Little
Vixen. About 15 guests took part and, on our arrival we were escorted through
the labyrinthine stairs and corridors of the Grand Theatre, Leeds, the places
that the audience never normally gets to see, to meet with the Director,
Annabel Arden.
The production of the opera was completely from scratch and she talked about
the many processes that have to be completed to get the show on the road. She
also gave an insight into the roles of the four key people: the Director, the
Designer, the Lighting Designer and the Conductor. Inevitably, their roles
overlap at times and tensions have to be overcome.
The costumes we had all sponsored were of great interest to us as were
Annabel's comments on their design process and production. A short time for
questions followed, then a trip to the Theatre bar where we were joined and
made very welcome by administrative members of Opera North for a light lunch.
This gave us all the opportunity to pursue the questions we had forgotten
earlier.
Design for Vixen, the
NSCT sponsored costume. |
Then the Dress Rehearsal. The first impression on seeing
the stage was of a wonderful, colourful, sun-drenched forest glade. The
anticipation continued as various insects, birds and animals appeared, hovering
and twittering and going about their business. The Vixen (in the NSCT sponsored
costume and therefore the star, while being the real star) was energetic,
feisty and furry. Her russet trousers and top allowed her the freedom of
movement expected for a fox while also supporting a tail to die for.
Most of the wide range of insects, birds and animals were played by children.
Richard Hudson, the Designer, and Annabel both wanted them to be brightly
coloured, larger than life and very positive, expressing not only animal but
human characteristics. To achieve this their costumes accentuated their
2-dimensional shape and their extremities such as their tails, hands, feet and
particularly their eyes, which often looked out from behind extreme spectacles.
This was seen as a way of emphasising their different characters and the
results were most effective.
The variety and inventiveness of the costumes made this an exciting production
for me. I also enjoyed the opera, as did the many children in the audience
supporting their school friends in the cast.
I was presented with 2 signed designs and a signed poster for the Society. One
design has already been raffled off with the proceeds (£54) going to the
Textiles Department at Henshaws in Knaresborough. Raffle tickets for the
remaining items will be available to members at our future events.
Kathy Foulkes
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