Today saw the start of rehearsals for Waterperry Opera Festival’s production of Mansfield Park which we will be performing between 25th and 28th July at 2:30 pm. The performances are to be held in the Waterperry Ballroom which provides an absolutely amazing backdrop to this wonderful immersive opera by Jonathan Dove.
This year we welcome two new members to the original cast, Eleanor Garside who plays the part of Aunt Norris, and Damian Arnold who will perform the role of Henry Crawford. I am looking forward to working alongside both of them, and all my old friend from last year’s production. The cast and creatives are an amazing group of people and I can’t wait to see how this year’s rehearsal develop.
The performance on the 25th July is already sold out but there are still a few tickets left for the remaining days if you want to come along I would recommend booking quickly to avoid disappointment. The Opera Festival is hosted in Waterperry House and Gardens, Waterperry, Oxford, OX33 1LA and you book tickets HERE.
The production will be directed again by Rebecca Meltzer with musical direction by Ashley Beauchamp, and Bradley Wood will be providing the additional piano accompaniment.
Looks like a wondrful opera, Charlotte. I remember the photos from your last appearence.
It’s very up close with the audience, intimate and interactive which I love, as an audience member you’re made to feel like you’re observing a real family Downton Abbey like a fly on the wall. The photos were great weren’t they I was so happy when Waterperry Opera agreed for us to be able to use them, they were all taken by Robert Workman, he specialises in show business portraiture and theatrical publicity and it shows doesn’t it?
All my best wishes,
Charlotte
It does show for sure.
Well, I hate to say this as a loyal Hoather-ite, but for once there may actually be somebody in the cast prettier than you (waits to be lynched…)
Martin! How could you 😊. I’ve seen better looking ferrets too you know!
Best wishes
Charlotte
https://charlottehoatherblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Capture.jpg
I knew I’d get it in the neck but it’s not fair picking on a poor, defenceless ferret…
May this be as much a joy for the audience as I can tell it will be for the cast and crew!
My family loved it last year, my Grandad was laughing along which was a joy for me to see.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
This must have been fun to do.
It was Tony, my character has a new love interest this year hehe.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
A beautiful and handsome cast. I’m not surprised the first show sold out. It looks like it will be a fabulous production.
Thanks Timothy we doubled the number of performances this year and we’ve sold out two dates now which is great for afternoon shows, not many tickets left for the other two days either 😊.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
That’s wonderful.
It looks like a wonderful production! AB-FAB on the sell out!
You look wonderful Charlotte! Keep up the great work….Darlene
We doubled the number of performances this year Darlene and now two dates are fully booked and there’s only a few tickets left for the other two afternoon performances, fingers crossed for a full house every day. I’m working on my sultry photo face at the moment haha lots of laugh out loud moments.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
It looks like it is a great show that it is nearly sold out. That was a nice picture of you and the other cast member.
It’s always great performing to a packed room, we’ve sold out two dates now and only have a few tickets left for the other two matinee performances, exciting. The photographs were taken by a specialist theatrical photographer called Robert Workman he’s very talented isn’t he?
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Very nice God’s bless her
Good morning
Thank you Amritpal 😊. Good evening to you, hope you are well.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Looks wonderful and this time I’m coming to watch you! Can’t wait 😘😘
Yipee, so glad you could make it this year, you’ll love it. You can bring a picnic or enjoy the café on site, there’s a garden centre and gardens to walk around too if you’re early. See you soon.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
This opera was fabulous last year.
I hope you have fun performing it again Charlotte.xxxx
Thank you, so happy you enjoyed it last year. I’m performing in Stoke on Trent this year close to yours, so you’ll have to round all your posse up for me I’ll be singing the role of Pandora, it’s a new contemporary modern opera, if I send you some leaflets can you ask people to put them up for us in the hairdressers, local churches etc. xxx
All my best wishes
Charlotte
What a good looking cast. You and your friends – Have a great time!!!
Thank you, GP. Waterperry Opera are really good with their leaflets and colour choices too aren’t they?
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Someone sure knew what they were doing!!
It sounds and looks like a most magnificent event… a most beautiful enterprise…! Those were the days in pre-victorian times,.. the fashion and style of the robes being empire period or regency era… in Germany we would call it the “romantic Biedermeier period”…Jane Austen being a very particular highlight of that era… especially for England of course… :))))
That’s really interesting Eberhard, ‘Biedermeier’ I must remember that, I will add it to my German vocabulary list I’m learning this year. The loose dresses are very comfortable too.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Great, I love you all the best.
On my side, due to problems with my teeth, I had to cancel several trips until September.
I hope this fall I finally get to see you on stage. Best thought for you my great and talented friend !!!
Merci mon cher ami. Désolé d’entendre parler de la douleur des dents. J’ai de grandes productions à venir. Hope to see you in the fall.
Best wishes,
Charlotte
Hope to, j’espère aussi chère Charlotte – Best thoughts for you !
It will certainly be a wonderful performance in a wonderful place. I am almost jealous, because I have to stay in Ludwigsburg for the next days. I wish you much success and fun.
Thank you Arndt, I googled Ludwigsburg it looks a most beautiful place to be.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte,
to be honest, Ludwigsburg is one of the most beautiful unknown places in Germany. When I moved here a few years ago, I was surprised and overwhelmed. I come originally from the Rhine-Ruhr area. During the summer there are alone 3 big fireworks, there are several palaces on a relatively small city area, there are the “Schlossfestspiele” with many concerts, last weekend there was the Klassik Open Air Festival. Ludwigsburg is “only” 300 years old, the city was never destroyed, all buildings around the royal gardens are still in original condition. This also applies to the entire city centre, from the market square, which has something of an Italian piazza with arcades, with the statue of the prince in the middle. Ludwigsburg is called a baroque city and rightly so. There are many costume clubs, one appears in costumes as in times of the duke. And very close by is Stuttgart with one of the best operas in Germany and an equally outstanding cultural offer. I always get into raptures when I talk about the area where I currently live and all because of a woman. The Duke founded this city for his mistress. There are many reasons to come here. But you have to be careful when you come by car because there are a lot of police lightning machines.
Many greetings from the sunny Ludwigsburg
sends you Arndt
I hope that I get the opportunity to come to visit and even sing there it sounds lovely, I adore open air festivals, I hope the sun keeps shining for you 😊.
I accept your greetings thank you.
Charlotte 🙋🏼♀️
I’m sure this will be wonderful Charlotte but although I cannot be there I do, as I’ve said, intend to be at Morley. Picking up on your reply to my comment on your post about that, unfortunately Petronela will not be with me; she does not appreciate opera as I do and although she usually comments on the beauty of excerpts she hears on Classic FM she is unable to sit through a whole opera; I took her to an Opera North performance of La Boheme, as one of the most approachable operas, but it didn’t make her want to go more. Maybe I should have chosen Carmen, which had me ‘hooked’ at 7 years old.
It’s such a shame that Scottish Opera don’t tour their Pop-Up Opera to Leeds I’m confident Petronela would love the little bits of the Magic Flute and Iolanthe that we did, just half hour shows of all the best songs with narration to keep the flow and explain the story. I’m sure I could hook her 😊. Happy to hear you’re going to Morley see you there.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
I’m sure you’re right Charlotte so it is a pity; the pop-up opera is such a great idea.
Looks a fantastic production yet again. Enjoy xx
Thank you Christine, I feel like I’m in Downton Abbey, such fun.
All my best wishes
Charlotte x
I hope the performances are even more enjoyable and successful than last year’s ones, Charlotte! 🙂
Final week of rehearsals now Clare, two new cast members which has been exciting to see a new dynamic.
Isn’t it strange that new performers singing the same songs and acting the same parts can make such a difference?
How thrilling! Charlotte, your summer is super busy, and you are working very hard. There will be much fruit to harvest from your labours!
Cheers to you, the entire ensemble… all actors, director, music, stagehands, costumes…everyone for a smashing run.
Double cheers for July 25! ❦
How marvellous you all look, and I’m sure sound too! I never knew there’s a Mansfield Park opera, great! I’m a Jane Austen fan. A movie you’ll love, and it’s based in Glasgow: “Wile Rose”. You must see it. It’s a current release. Hope you can find it in your area.
I like the wood floors, as well. Seems to fit the overall atmosphere created by the Costumes and Performances of the Cast.