Christopher Luscombe returns to The Grange Festival with pop-up chamber performances of Pagliacci (13 December 2020).

On 13 December 2020, Christopher Luscombe brings his new pop-up chamber production of Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci to The Grange Festival with two performances at 1.30pm and 4.30pm. Reuniting to work with Luscombe once again are Robert Hayward, Elin Pritchard and Nicholas Lester who were all part of his acclaimed production of Falstaff at The Grange Festival in 2019. Aled Hall and Peter Auty also join the cast, with Auty performing the role of Canio the travelling showman.  

The performances will be conducted by John Andrews, who was musical director of The Grange Festival’s outdoor promenade performance, Precipice, in August 2020. He leads a chamber group which includes pianist Berrak Dyer, violinist Fenella Humphreys and cellist Sophie Gledhill.   

The production of Pagliacci has already received acclaim for its first performance in St James’ Church, Islington in October and was described by The Sunday Times as having ‘more visceral, raw, genuinely “operatic” power than any of the other lockdown offerings I have attended in the UK.’  

Artistic Director Michael Chance commented: “We are so happy to be able to open our theatre in a few weeks’ time and have a live audience for a live show on our stage, albeit reduced in number. This production of Pagliacci comes much garlanded from its single London ‘pop-up’ performance. With a story desperately appropriate for our industry, and a team of top-notch singers and players, we can expect high drama and deep emotion.” 

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Thursday 3 December at 10.30am.

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