Baseless Fabric, Finalists at the 2018 Off West End Awards for Best Opera Production, return with a new production of Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. The production will pop up in more than 30 high street venues in Merton and Wandsworth this August, with free, unticketed performances for all, as well as being adapted for two indoor performances at the Arcola Theatre as part of the 2019 Grimeborn Festival.
The cast includes soprano Claire Wild, who has extensive credits with Welsh National Opera, Opera North and English National Opera.
Following on from the success of two previous Merton Street Operas, Drifting Dragons and Cosi Fan Tutte, Baseless Fabric are thrilled to announce their new adaptation of Die Fledermaus, in a new adaptation by Artistic Director Joanna Turner, and with new arrangements by composer/conductor Leo Geyer.
Die Fledermaus is a light-hearted, life-loving story, complete with vivid characters and memorable tunes, taking its cue from the fact that Die Fledermaus literally means ‘The Bat’ – which in this modern take is interpreted as a nod to Batman!
This high street adaptation will pop up in cafes, pubs and supermarkets to give local people the chance to experience opera, who might not ordinarily do so. Our performances aim to change attitudes to the art form and encourage people to realise that opera can be fun and not elitist, expensive, boring or irrelevant, as it can often be perceived. This August, the locations will include Morrison’s, Waitrose, ASDA, indoor markets in Tooting and Pollard’s Hill, pubs and train stations, and libraries throughout South London.
For the Arcola’s Grimeborn festival, the show will be adapted with design by Marina Hadjilouca and lighting design by Jack Weir. This will give an opportunity to experience this innovative modern re-imagining in a new close-up context, and hear talented young singers and instrumentalists performing up close and personal.
