Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
Fri 22 Sept
Music Theatre Wales’ latest production is two tales in one. You know the one about the Ant and the Grasshopper? Aesop’s story of a lazy grasshopper who doesn’t save food for winter, and is then turned away by the sensible, industrious ant, is contorted to form a messed-up version on the famous fable and with its first tale. The main story concerns the Little One, a poor immigrant with toothache, who can’t access dental care without his papers.
The Golden Dragon is an opera, but not like the ones that might spring to mind. Carmen this is not. At just 90 minutes long, this is a taut, tight, comic/tragic show that tells a modern story of someone living in the world and yet not quite belonging to it. The action is set in a Chinese restaurant, and what follows is a Brechtian-style piece that asks you to look at why the characters do what they do and consider the morality and meaning of our choices.
Moving between the ant/grasshopper fable and a menu of mini-tales at the restaurant that weave themselves into something grander and more complex, Peter Eötvös’ sprightly offering promises to have opera welcomed by a new audience with open arms.
Tickets: £15-£25. Info: 029 2064 6900 / www.shermantheatre.co.uk (MH)