Last night, Saturday 14th September, was the premiere of Tim Benjamin’s The Fire Of Olympus at the Burnley Mechanics Theatre. It was a lovely venue with a fabulous stage and a wonderful audience.
After all the hard work put in by everyone involved over the past few months it was such a thrill to finally bring the piece to the stage. It was a wonderful experience to perform such a different character role alongside the rest of the cast and the orchestra to bring Tim’s music to life.
As the tour is still ongoing, I don’t want to give too much away about the production and what we have in store for the audience. But if you can attend one of the shows I do encourage you to come along and witness the spectacle first hand.
Next Saturday, 21st September, we travel to Huddersfield for a performance at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Queen’s Square, Queen Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2SP.
Then on to Manchester on the 28th September at the RNCM, 124 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9RD.
With further performances in York on the 12th October at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, Haxby Road, York, YO31 8TA.
Finally, we bring the tour to a conclusion with two performances one at The Repertory Theatre, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 2TR on the 30th October and your last chance to catch the production on the 9th November at the Todmorden Hippodrome, 83 Halifax Rd, Todmorden OL14 5BB.
Nothing like an opening night! <3
Absolutely, with a touring opera you get that bit of excited aniticipation at every show because you move from location to location after just one performance and the stage changes slightly, the acoustics, the orchestra pit etc. I love it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You look fabulous. I am willing you full houses every night!
Thank you Hilary, What a lovely wish a full house every night. I wish this for Tim too, its great that he is touring The Fire of Olympus to small towns in the North of England as well as Manchester and York. Rupert Christiansen wrote last December that audiences for live events outside London continue to shrink and this made me think, how often do my family go out to live events and it is rare other than to watch me. So it’s how we persuade people like them to come along because now they do go to more live operas they love them especially the ones sung in English.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
I hate to say this, but your costume doesn’t flatter you. Still, see you in Manchester!
I love your blunt honesty Martin never change it keeps me on my toes :).
Thinking about it though it’s good that I was selected for my voice and acting skills and not just a clothes horse :). I think the costume will make more sense when you see it in the setting with all the cast.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
I am so happy all went well. You are a lovely Pandora and I wish you all the best of accolades for the tour!!!
I love my parents coming to watch on an opening night they give me frank and honest feedback :). They were really happy with this role and said it gave me a new dimension, a strength and they enjoyed my arias which is great for a new production. They said they fully enjoyed the strong string orchestra and a striking moment when the bows seemed to punctuate the music dramatically. They also said the singing was a very high standard too from everyone.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
What an excellent review!! It is worthwhile to have someone give honest feedback. You and your character are a credit to your parents!
So pleased your first night went well Charlotte.
I think you looked beautiful in the photo,looking forward to seeing you in Stoke-on-Trent xx
My Mum said you’re going to enjoy this production, can you drop some of the leaflets at your hairdressers and shops and see if Jean or Barbara are up for coming they told me to tell them when I was performing locally when they came to see me in Bury that time, tell them it’s only in Hanley.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You look fabulous on stage and I’ll bet the part was so much fun to do. Congratulations.
It’s been a real challenge to get the balance right because of the twist of Pandora being all for Zeus and Olympus and then quitting to join the resistance when she feels Zeus goes too far with what he expects from her. Good fun and lots of hard work.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I wish I could attend a performance. Maybe some day. 😁
Glad to hear opening night went well, Charlotte. All the best to you all on the tour!
Thank you Lavinia one of the best things about a tour in the North West of England is that I get to stay at my parents and don’t have to think about anything else but the performance and learning new songs, when I go back to London I can lose a bit of weight though hehe.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Good luck, dear Charlotte! You look gorgeous in this white costume. A real lady of the show!
Thank you Maria, I don’t usually wear white as I’m quite a colourful person so it’s a nice change.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Here’;s to full houses and yet to be royal flushes…those successes
What a super wish thank you x
Best wishes
Charlotte
This is surely a fantastic role for you! I am happy for you to get this opportunity to show all your abilities… Fantastic footage…! Thank you so much, Charlotte…! Keep on and keep it up! :))))
It’s been great developing Pandora’s character. A few tweaks more to do and I’m excited to be filming the opera in a couple of weeks time.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Sounds like the opening went very well. I wish you and the cast the best with all the shows. You look fabulous.
There are lots of technical aspects with the choir of a 1000 voices recording (which my parents thought was a great way to portray a crowd scene) and the production team have a task to set this up in various different venues so it makes each performance fresh and new. Thank you Timothy :).
All my best wishes
Charlotte
I can imagine the technical aspects can be challenging with each venue. It makes life interesting.
You look lovely Charlotte. So pleased your opening night went well and we’re hoping to catch the show in Manchester. Well done! 👏👏👏😘
It’s at the RNCM so there’s a blast from the past 🙂 excited to be on the stage again there after so long. Hope you can both make it, please pass the word around :).
Best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte, what fun. You have been so outstanding……
Darlene
When you’re working with such talented colleagues you have to keep on top of your game. Thank you Darlene.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Wow, great, congrats to you and the team ! Toi, Toi, Toi !!!!! Thanks to give all the date. it’s a little complicated for me at the moment with the preparation of my exhibition next year, but with possibilities until November, I’m almost sure we’ll see before the end of the year: – ) Best thoughts for you my dear talent Miss RainbowVoice !!! .
Merci beaucoup 🙂
Where are you exhibiting next year in the UK or France?
Best wishes to you Pascal,
Charlotte
First in France – plastian exhibition, creation on paper, on brushed aluminum, “kiss of the moon” and “teeshirt” …. And I would use the press book of this exhibition to solicit on UK .. I also think to solicit authors or directors to propose to them to make an exhibition on their show (creation made with shooting rehearsals or projection in the background as if it were the thoughts that accompany the texts .. .
A tour! Every opening night in a new location. Sounds like both you and the production will be well received. Break a leg, Pandora.
P.S. You’re a knockout in white.
Thanks very much Don 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
You look absolutely radiant, Charlotte – how exciting to perform original work!!
Onward for you.
Thank you Sheila, it’s a great show to be a part of. I’m filming the opera on Friday, we’ve already recorded the music and then a show in Manchester where I’ve a few friends coming along so I’m excited for that.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
The music will live through you. Keep singing.
Will do Shiela 😊🥰
It must be the most amazing feeling!
I love the adrenaline rush of an opening night, it really fires my excitement up a notch. Actually, that is what is great about touring a production every night seems like an opening night because you don’t know what the venue’s acoustics and stage will be like in advance.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Amazing! More congratulations!
You are riding a wonderful wind.
Wish I was in England, so I could catch a performance! Best – Resa
Thank you so much Resa, it’s a bit of a whirlwind hehe. I wish you were in England too. I’m not sure if the film will be available for general viewing but if it is I’ll share links to it.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
You look great in that white costume.
Thank you Jorge, I had a chuckle the other day when I noticed Ivanka Trump photographed at the UN in a white power suit (with killer heels though) so the look must be in fashion.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You have a different demeanor with this Character that I haven’t seen before. Have fun.
I had to really think about characterisation for Pandora because I wanted to show her as vulnerable but strong minded. Capable but ultimately misguided because she ends up doing Zeus bidding off her own back by falling for Epimetheus and opening the jar! D’oh.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Indeed a lovely venue.
Best,
PM
Thank you the venue is a grade II listed building which was opened by the Queen after being refurbished.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte, you look beautiful — prettier every year! You certainly do keep busy — how lucky you are to be working at something you love. But, you have earned it too, you have worked hard the whole time I have known you — what, six years now? Bravissma!