An Operatic Vision by Cynthia Fortitude
A new take on an old favourite
Create a new company, select a beloved light opera, rehearse it under constant threat of Covid-19 lockdowns and then take it on a whirlwind North Island tour.
After many (many!) online rehearsals, the newly formed Light Opera Company of Khandallah, Johnsonville And Western Suburbs (The LOCKJAWS) are finally meeting in person their new director, the great New Zealand diva, Miss Cynthia Fortitude – on the day of their first performance. Half the cast have gone missing… no-one can find the costumes…. and it’s show time! Director Miss Fortitude does her best to rally the troops – compromises will HAVE to be made!
What follows is a lively rendition of Gilbert and Sullivan’s shortest opera, with all the songs and all the music but a decidedly modern “look”.
This original take on an old favourite is written and directed by Alison Hodge with musical direction by Michael Vinten and stars Helen Moulder as her alter ego Miss Cynthia Fortitude, the long-suffering director of this eccentric collection of players.
You’ll love the music, you’ll laugh at the antics… and you’ll kick yourself if you miss it.
Dates and venues
| Wellington | St Andrew’s on The Terrace | 22 November, 3.00pm Book tickets |
| Wellington | Central Baptist Church | 26 November, 12.30pm Book tickets |
| Wellington | Central Baptist Church | 26 November, 7.30pm Book tickets |
| Carterton | Events Centre | 28 November, 2.00pm Book tickets |
| Whanganui | Prince Edward Theatre | 29 November, 5.00pm Book tickets |
| Raumati | Te Raukura ki Kāpiti | 5 December, 1.00pm Book tickets |
| Raumati | Te Raukura ki Kāpiti | 5 December, 4.00pm Book tickets |
| Palmerston North | Globe Theatre | 6 December, 2.30pm Book tickets |
| Palmerston North | Globe Theatre | 6 December, 5.00pm Book tickets |
Door sales will also be available, from 30 minutes before each performance: cash and EFTPOS.
The Creative Team
Director Alison Hodge has directed for and acted with Pocket Opera, Boutique Opera, Young and Hungry and Summer Shakespeare.
Music Director Michael Vinten has been the Wellington Chorus Master and Associate Conductor for New Zealand Opera since 1991 and has conducted for Wellington City Opera, Hamilton Operatic Society, Hawke’s Bay Opera, Wanganui Opera, and Massey University’s Conservatorium of Music, the New Zealand School of Music, Boutique Opera and Days Bay Opera.
Star performer Helen Moulder has toured her solo and two-person shows throughout New Zealand and Australia. Cynthia Fortitude, a “famous” opera singer, is her favourite comic character.
Wellington Comic Opera 