This production of La Boheme updates Puccini’s classic with the aim of bringing it to an audience who wouldn’t usually watch opera. It’s based on a new translation by Robin Norton-Hale, set to Puccini‘s score. This Opera Up Close production is admirably short and snappy, clocking in at under two hours, and it’s ideal for anyone with not much experience of opera. It’s performed in modern English, telling the classic story of the chaotic lives and relationships of a group of bohemian artists, centring around an unhappy love story between Rodolfo and Mimi.

The first two acts were particularly sharp and quick. The first act set the scene, but was so brief that it was momentarily confusing when the house lights came up. The audience was asked to go for an interval whilst the set was changed. Everyone obediently trooped to the foyer and bar. Unannounced, the second act then took place amongst the audience, with the performers walking through the crowd in a scene set in a bar. This felt fresh and intimate - a world apart from traditional opera. The downside was that, being on the short side, I couldn’t see a lot of the performers. But that is a small quibble, as the acoustics and energy more than made up for having to crane my neck.

Sometimes the translation and staging felt a little forced. Lines like “Rodolfo, please, you know this is crap” jar a little even to a non-opera goer. Putting the cast in skinny jeans and making use of the word ‘chav’ as an attempt to channel the spirit of youth also felt a little clunky on occasion.  

The brevity of this version of La Boheme also makes life tricky for its very talented performers, who have to do a lot of emoting in a pretty short space of time. The final scenes were more moving than you could’ve expected from such a whistlestop piece of theatre. Overall this production is a brave and enjoyable attempt to open opera up, and comes especially recommended if you‘re not sure whether opera is for you.