A Festival of Sex, Love and Death
Director Sophie Gilpin
Conductor Sonia Ben-Santamaria
Designer Anna Bonomelli
Lighting Marco Alba
Photo credit HeadFirst Productions
‘This is a female-led production of an opera about male desire; directed by Sophie Gilpin, designed by Anna Bonomelli and conducted by Sonia Ben Santamaria. In an age of everyday sexism HeadFirst have chosen to present the famous womaniser Don Giovanni and the fine line between seduction and sexual manipulation. Given the recent revelations from the Hollywood film industry, this seems an appropriate time to revisit Mozart’s famous work.’
West End Wilma - Rhiannon Evans
‘Such heady action is smartly staged (design by Anna Bonomelli) and contrasted with a pared back, minimalist set of two doors in a bare concrete wall. Two huge clock hands on the wall turn constantly throughout the running time, emphasising the speediness of the action. With the cast in modern dress, the design enhances the new, modern take. Where else are you going to see a man in a tracksuit and trainers singing opera whilst pretending to smoke a cigarette?’
Alice Gray
‘Led by an all-female creative team (Conductor Santamaria, Director Gilpin and Designer Bonomelli), this production puts women at the front and centre of what is ostensibly a story about male lust.’
Broadway World