Sir Mark Elder conductor | Annabel Arden director | Femi Elufowoju Jr co director | Dominic Best director of photography | George Johnson-Leigh designer | Richard Katz narrator | Martins Imhangbe soldier | Mark Lockyer devil | Faith Prendergast princess
Filmed on location in Manchester, this enterprising version of The Soldier’s Tale is told clearly, slickly and without indulgence. One might have reservations about this or that aspect (such as some heavily accented words; the Narrator reminds of Tony Robinson as Baldrick) but the enterprise holds the attention as a story, very listenable, and is attractive to look at. Sir Mark Elder might, at times, have chosen slightly quicker tempos, but his concern for musical articulacy brings its own reward, and the septet of Hallé members play excellently. The troupe of actors enters into the spirit of the whole, which is edited together with expertise. Well-worth investigating.