Thrills on a night of humour, mystery and song

12:27pm Thursday 11th January 2007

A THRILLING night of humour, mystery, suspense and singing will be presented at Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, tomorrow (Friday) with the comedy drama A Knife At The Opera, starring actress and mezzo-soprano Buddug Verona James.

The inspiration for the production came from a critic's nasty review. Critics have murdered many a diva's performance through the power of a pen and now it's time for the divas to get their revenge.

Buddug Verona James has appeared as Dardano in Handel's Amadigi for OTC (Ireland), the title role in Gluck's Orfeo for Opera Atelier (Canada), and Hermia in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream for Netherland's Opera.

The evening introduces Detective Inspector Gethin Gumshoe, the hapless yet lovable Welsh Clouseau, who is on the trail of a serial critic killer as he delves into the operatic underworld of flamboyant divas and their fierce critics to find out whodunnit.

In a slick production, Buddug Verona James brilliantly performs the roles of Gumshoe and the six colourful divas who are also the chief suspects.

Buddug Verona James will be accompanied by composer, conductor and pianist Andrew Wilson-Dickson, and the comic story is intertwined with seven arias by Handel, Mozart, Rossini, Bizet, Tom Johnson and Andrew Wilson-Dickson.

To book phone the box office on 01874 611622.

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