For its sixth production, 2x2 Opera presented an adaptation of Offenbach’s comic opera

Robinson Crusoe.

 
Danielle Crusoe, a young successful ‘chick lit’ writer, suns herself on the after deck of a luxury cruiser. A cocktail arrives and she excitedly explains that her latest manuscript has just gone off to her publisher, another block buster for certain. In fact it’s so thrilling “I’ve just got to tell you the story” she enthuses –

A young man called Robert, tall, dark and brooding, longs for adventure on the high seas and to search for treasure. Against his parents’ wishes and despite the love of his fiancée Danielle, (“I like to put myself in the drama” explains the writer, “It helps me to experience my characters’ needs!”), he sets sail.

Six and a half years later finds him, having been captured by pirates, marooned on a desert island; where he has met someone he’s named Man Friday – in this case it’s Girl Friday, Robert obsessed now with what he has left behind, hasn’t noticed, and spends his days telling Friday about his love for Danielle. “Oh what a delicious triangle” the writer exclaims.

Unknown to him Danielle with her friends Toby and Susan have set sail to try and find him. They too have been shipwrecked on the island. Danielle has been captured by cannibals who think she is the long lost bride of their god and is being prepared for sacrifice, while Toby and Susan are being prepared for supper by the cannibals’ chef, Jim Cocks; who turns out to be a long lost friend from their home town!

In the end Friday saves the day. Robert and Danielle are reunited, Toby and Susan escape being supper and Friday falls for the chef. The Pirates help them escape and they all sail home

A young man arrives with a fax for Danielle, the publishers have turned down her manuscript. They’ve heard this story before………

Conducted by Greg Beardsell

Directed by Keith Cheetham

Supported by:

2008

For it’s fifth production, 2x2 Opera adapted Humperdink’s opera Hänsel and Gretel.

“Children astray in the gloomy forest” cries the father “Do you know that awful magical place, the place where evil dwells?”

In this new adaptation a young journalist arrives in an isolated village looking for a story about missing children. A strange storyteller recounts an old story for her using a magic toy theatre, while a group of actors are putting on a performance in a ruined theatre, that seems to resemble the toy theatre. What is the journalist being drawn into; what is the truth behind the missing children?

Typically ‘Grimm’ this is a dark, magical and funny re-telling of the story set to Humperdink’s fabulous music on a Wagnerian scale. A strange mysterious magical forest, surreal characters and of course a witch who threatens to eat children, provides a journey for adults and children through this classic fairy story.

The children’s mother arrives home, tired out and frustrated. Food is scarce and they have no money. Always hungry the children drive her to distraction. She orders them out of the house and into the forest. Hänsel and Gretel ‘s day just gets worse – lost - alone in a dark gloomy place – night comes – a dark night – and a witch is waiting for them in the morning who says she wants to cook them……………..

Fairy tales do have happy endings though.

Adapted and directed by Keith Cheetham, conducted by Robert Tuohy

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