La Bohème, The Village Underground | reviews, news & interviews
La Bohème, The Village Underground
La Bohème, The Village Underground
Immersive opera at its best
![](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/mast_image_landscape/public/mastimages/3d93c55b098172a28d1ff09abb281307.jpg?itok=AlXl-iBg)
Vignette Productions is a bit of a one-off in the operatic world. It was established three years ago by the rising young British tenor Andrew Staples, his mission to create operas that were more exciting and told better stories than those generally on offer. Staples directs rather than sings; his casts are made up of young unknown singers, and the productions to date certainly fulfil the original aim. Last year, their summer production of Cosi fan tutte had the audience sitting in deckchairs atop of six tons of sand and ended with a beach party. With that in mind, a bit of youthful wackiness was absolutely to be expected, nay joyfully anticipated, from La bohème this week. Wacky it was too, and in a very good way.
Vignette Productions is a bit of a one-off in the operatic world. It was established three years ago by the rising young British tenor Andrew Staples, his mission to create operas that were more exciting and told better stories than those generally on offer. Staples directs rather than sings; his casts are made up of young unknown singers, and the productions to date certainly fulfil the original aim. Last year, their summer production of Cosi fan tutte had the audience sitting in deckchairs atop of six tons of sand and ended with a beach party. With that in mind, a bit of youthful wackiness was absolutely to be expected, nay joyfully anticipated, from La bohème this week. Wacky it was too, and in a very good way.
Subscribe to theartsdesk.com
Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.
To take a subscription now simply click here.
And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?
more Opera
![Smoke signals: Clare Presland in 'Il Segreto di Susanna'](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/ss%20sus%20fag_0.jpg?itok=Hmrn-W8p)
![Lucia Lucas outside The Dream Tent in Birmingham](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/AF_053_New_Year_Cast_%26_Rehearsal_BOC.jpg?itok=AZ21jes9)
![Stirring stuff: Roman Arndt as Ernani, with chorus, in Buxton International Festival’s production of the opera](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Roman%20Arndt%20as%20Ernani%20centre%20with%20chorus%20%282%29%20%281200x801%29_0.jpg?itok=-d-p2F-d)
![Katharina Kastening: 'the underlying message regarding the danger in female stereotyping is one that unfortunately persists in our societies'](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Carmen%201.jpeg?itok=Dat42NmJ)
![Crazy for you: Iestyn Davies as Orlando, with Rachel Redmond](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/orl%20id%20rr%202.jpg?itok=9-jsGU3Z)
![Bethany Horak-Hallett's vivid Cherubino gets close to Samantha Clarke's peereless Countess](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Figaro-Website-Gallery-4.jpg?itok=g0_-fr3Z)
![Ideal lovers: Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen as Cesare and Louise Alder as Cleopatra](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Cesare%201_0.jpeg?itok=LSFZkxQu)
![The statue of Smetana, born 200 years ago, presides over the main square of his native Litomyšl](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/1000021319.jpg?itok=j5ytrfbY)
!['Gianni Schicchi' WNO cast](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Trittico%201_0.jpg?itok=TC84p4VF)
![It's the music, stupid - or perhaps more a comedy with musical attachments](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Merry%20Widow%201_0.jpg?itok=XnkTx-3g)
![Ingeborg Bröcheler greets the crowds at the start of 'Giulio Cesare'](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Cesare%201.jpg?itok=cTfPnuq3)
![Street fighting man: Morgan Pearse as Scarpia](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/tosca%20sc%20demo.jpg?itok=pW9Z-9iZ)
Add comment