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The Shoemaker
Welsh National Opera
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
CONGRATULATIONS to Welsh National Opera for bringing together refugee crisis groups and working with a variety of artists to bring to fruition a wonderful new opera, The Shoemaker.
And this is not just an opera, but is performed among the audience and with rhythmic dance to complement the splendid singing.
Director Sita Thomas has pulled together a moving and relevant musical and dance ensemble to explore the story of refugees and how they are received in their new country.
Isabella is the Shoemaker and is sung by Marion Newman. In her shop, Isabella creates new shoes for refugees to help them escape to a new and, hopefully, better life.
Each audience member as they enter the theatre is given the password that the refugees use when they present themselves to the Shoemaker, “my feet are bleeding.”
But the opera really ignites as King Duncan, sung by an impressive Kevin Overton, interrogates a refugee to find out who is providing shoes to help these incomers trek to his country.
US baritone Overton was equally impressive as the Bristol slave servant Pero Jones in the Migrations* opera and has a big future ahead of him.
The themes of fear of refugees taking jobs, food and resources are clearly heartfelt from all those migrants who have worked on the production.
When King Duncan sends his men to burn down the Shoemaker’s shop the anguish portrayed by Newman is heartfelt.
What really enhances this scene is the dancers portraying the flames devouring her work. Also flashed up on a large screen behind the action are scenes from Iran to give a contemporary flavour to this ensemble piece about freedom, equality and justice.
At just over 60 minutes the variety of composers and lyricists who collaborated to bring this opera together have created a compelling and memorable production.
WNO should be applauded for helping migrants to Wales find their voice in teh country and for producing such a fantastic piece of storytelling in operatic and dance form.
This is a wonderfully nuanced and compelling opera and deserves to be brought back for a wider audience to enjoy.
* Migrations is on tour until November 26 2022: Plymouth, Birmingham, Southampton details at wno.org.uk, 029 2063-5000 (Welsh and English spoken).
