La bohème ★★★★ London Coliseum | Sep 26 - Oct 19, 2024


To commemorate the centenary of composer Giacomo Puccini's death the English National Opera has revived Jonathan Miller's 2009 staging of La bohème. This version is set in the 1930s and gives the classic a more contemporary feel, while still creating a sense of the joyous, yet harsh, life of the marginalised artistic community trapped in a Parisian winter. Isabella Bywater's superb design beautifully frames the familiar story of love and loss evoking both the sparsity of the artists' existence in their garret and the rich panoply of the city's street life. British-American tenor, Joshua Blue, assumed the role of the impoverished writer, Rodolfo, and when we saw the production Madeline Boreham played the role of Mimí. Both brought impressive vocal skills to their roles as the ill-fated lovers, but there did not seem to be a real chemistry between them. The third act which shows the couple's separation, and the final act's powerful scene with the death of Mimí, both lacked the emotional resonance which we usually associate with these moments. On the other hand, the banter and horseplay between the four flatmates had a wonderfully authentic feel. Patrick Alexander Keefe is a delightful Schaunard, and Dingle Yandell shines as Colline. Charles Rice as the tormented Marcello brings a fine voice and a strong presence to his role, and his interactions with Blue's Rodolfo and with Vuvu Mpofu's Musetta were high points of the evening. Mpofu delightfully captures her character's high spirits and vivaciousness, displaying some extraordinary vocal talents and real tenderness in the final act. This fine production of Puccini's masterpiece proves to be a fitting celebration of his life's work.

Rated: ★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Lloyd Winters

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When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: St Martin's Ln, London WC2N 4ES, UK

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