Clacton Arts & Literary Society

The Squadron Leader Hartley Evening opened the new season for the Arts and Literary Society. On this occasion it was the London Festival Opera who presented a highlight performance of The Magic Flute, one of Mozart’s most famous operas. This was a full costume performance of the famous arias with linking dialogue accompanied by the London Festival Opera Ensemble. The characters of Pamina and Tamino were performed by Catriona Clarke and Cameron Rolls, the Queen of the Night by Laure Meloy and Sarastro by Timothy Dawkins. The wonderfully comic Papagano was performed by the fantastic Philip Blake-Jones, who is also the founder of the company, and his delightful Papagana was Miranda Westcott.

This performance was followed by a programme of ‘Encores’ which consisted of some of the best loved arias, duets, quartets in opera and included several pieces from Gilbert and Sullivan. Audience participation was encouraged when Philip Blake-Jones sang ‘I am the very model of a modern Major-General’ at breakneck speed. We finally caught up in the last chorus. It was a highly successful and enjoyable evening and a splendid start to the new season.
Audrey Owens
Press Officer