DER SCHAUSPIELDIREKTOR

Dora Stoutzker Hall, Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama | July 2023

In an “18th century” office in Salzburg, Frank Scruples , overwhelmed by unpaid bills and the financial crisis his company is facing, steps outside to take a call with his therapist. Meanwhile, his assistant Buff seizes the opportunity to practice his singing with the pianist Dora. When Frank returns, Buff eagerly delivers the news that Frank has been named Impresario of the Großes Festspielhaus for the upcoming season, allowing him to hold auditions for his next Handel production. Despite the good news, Frank is on the verge of quitting due to his dire financial situation.

Hoping to change Frank’s mind, Buff has organised a secret meeting with Signor Angelo, an Italian banker whose money could save the company. However, Angelo has his own agenda and plans to persuade Frank into casting two sopranos that he “associates” with. The first audition is by Frau Herz, a retired German opera singer yearning for her grand comeback. She puts on a passionate performance, hoping to win Frank’s approval and secure a role in the production. However, Angelo then brings in Mlle Clochette, an inexperienced but charming French soprano, whose youthful appeal easily sways Frank’s opinion. He has already hired Frau Herz, and there cannot be two prima donnas in the same production. When Frank refuses to employ both, Angelo threatens with bribes to get his way. A chaotic argument unfolds over who will be chosen and who will be paid the most. The question is - will they be able to put art above their own egos? And in a world where opera’s future is threatened by funding cuts, can the art form survive?

There are several musical additions from Mozart’s repertoire in this version, including an aria from Bastien und Bastienne, from Zaïde, and the re-wrriten canon Bona Nox.

Creative Team

Director: Talia Stern

Musical Director: Dora Seaton

Set Designer: Ruizhi Zhang

Costume Designer: Xinping Wang

Lighting supervisor: Andy Wynne

Cast

Frau Herz - Joanna Cooke

Mlle Clochette – Erin Spence

Signor Angelo – Tomos Jones

Buff – Lucas Maunder

Frank Scruples – Laurie Standish Hayes