The Parrot Factory | review
Parrot opera flies high for all ages
Stuart Greenbaum and Ross Baglin, Merlyn Theatre, CUB Malthouse, October 1
“THE Parrot Factory is an enchanting one-hour chamber work composed by Stuart Greenbaum with an equally concise and witty libretto by Ross Baglin. It flew for just three performances over the weekend, but well deserves to be seen again.
This project from Victorian Opera’s National Opera Studio was the culmination of an intensive 12-day rehearsal period involving mature adults, young undergraduates and school children. The result, as seen at the opera’s world premiere on Friday, was accomplished and telling and not in the least patronising, which so-called ‘children’s opera’ can often be. Instead, it told its tale of missing birdlife, financial duplicity and other human failings with simplicity and skill.
Nikki Wendt’s sensitive direction, aided by colourful and pertinent sets and costumes by the artist Deborah Halpern and good lighting from Richard Vabre, used the wide Merlyn stage to its full advantage.
The main singers — Shoumendu Ganguly, Trevor Maitland, Simon Meadows, Rachel Landgren, Hillary Schier and Anneke Wynne — were all fine, as was the chorus of parrots (who jerked, ruffled and pecked as real parrots do).
Daniel Carter, conducting the 10-member orchestra, ensured a smooth and telling performance in which everything and everyone could be heard. This was a night for all to be proud.”
Michael Shmith, The Age, October 2010