This tragic tale is something of an acquired taste

Passion, Music Theatre Wales and National Dance Company Wales, Wales Millennium Centre

THERE can be no denying that Passion was well-received at Wales Millennium Centre although a critic has to be careful judging such reaction. A little scanning of how many of the audience members are from the worlds of contemporary music and dance, and so more likely to appreciate this beautiful and skilful melding of the art forms, is a useful exercise when considering how strongly to recommend or criticise a production.

This work is a splendid medium for the two organisations involved and although haunting and emotional, rather an acquired taste.

If not well versed in the Orpheus and Eurydice story, the music of French composer Pascal Dusapin will lap over you and while stimulating your attention engaged her dancers with the singers through the intertwining of musical whether on the ladder that straddled the styles, flavours, voices and instruments, worlds of living and dead, wrapped in how much more it will communicate or the sun-bright curtain that was swept engage is debatable. There is a specially across the plain black space from commissioned translation from Amanda designer Simon Banham, and Holden of the work which, according to gorgeously lit by Joe Fletcher. The work programme notes, enables Eurydice to may be steeped in classicism but it was give voice to her side of this tragic tale, also redolent of Christian imagery in but I could not make too much of the Michael McCarthy’s staging. words beyond clear expressions of grief, It is not for all, and playing to large loss, emotion, sorrow, yearning. venues is bold, and if it these genres

Soprano Jennifer French and MTW delight your world you will not be stalwart Johnny Herford were appealing disappointed. If not, perhaps show a in their angst, accompanied either little caution. physically or vocally by the NDCWales ■ Christian Kohler dancers and the Exaudi Vocal Ensemble. Further performance at Theatr Clwyd, Caroline Finn’s choreography literally Mold on November 10. theatrclwyd.com The winning numbers in Saturday night’s Lotto main draw were and

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