Rufus Wainwright's Prima Donna in Manchester: pop goes the opera
Janis Kelly stars in Prima Donna as the retired soprano Regine Saint Laurent, who is preparing her comeback. Think Sunset Boulevard but set in France ...Photograph: Tristram KentonThe story unfolds on Bastille Day in Paris in 1970Photograph: Tristram KentonThe diva is haunted by her last performance and the pain of unrequited love for a former singing partnerPhotograph: Tristram Kenton
The design of Regine's apartment includes a cutaway to behind the scenes in a bloody kitchenPhotograph: Tristram KentonRebecca Bottone (right) stars as Marie, the soprano's confidantePhotograph: Tristram KentonEach act in the opera opens with a nightmare sequencePhotograph: Tristram KentonBut did the production earn dream reviews?Photograph: Tristram KentonNot quite. Alfred Hickling dished out three stars and credited director Daniel Kramer with 'rising to the challenge of the supremely preposterous'Photograph: Tristram Kenton/Tristram KentonPrima Donna is at the Palace theatre in Manchester until 19 JulyPhotograph: Tristram Kenton
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