Die Fledermaus

The 2008 Preston Opera production was the Operetta Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II. The musical director was  Chris Gill and the producer Barbara Butcher.  Barbara set the show in 1936 allowing some varied and colourful costumes for the party at the Orlofsky Villa. The principal parts were taken by Chris Dodd as von Eisenstein, Laura Hudson as Rosalinda, Marie'Louise Lane as Adele and Rebecca Noblet as Orlofsky. Bruce McLaren as Alfredo, Chris Elliot as Dr. Blind, Jessie Conway as Ida and David Palmer as Dr. Falke made their debuts for Preston Opera full productions.  Bill Borrow took the part of Frank and Mike Bamford was the Major Domo - Ivan. Michael Butcher had the comedy role of Frosch, the prison officer.

 

Adele (Marie'Louise Lane) receives an invitation via her sister Ida to attend the Ball at Prince Orlofsky's Villa

 

Rosalinda (Laura Hudson) is surprised to see her "ex" Alfredo (Bruce McLaren) who arrives to renew their affair

 

Rosalinda's husband von Eisenstein (Chris Dodd) does not relish his week in jail for a civil offence

 

Eisenstein's friend Falke (David Palmer) suggests he attend Orlofsky's ball before starting his jail sentence

 

Adele and Eisenstein have their spirits lifted, they are both going to the ball

 

 

Alfredo returns with an increased thirst for wine and Rosalinda

 

 

 

 

 

Frank (Bill Borrow) arrives to take Eisenstein to jail and, of course, assumes Alfredo is the one

 

Frank's jailors leer as Alfredo and Rosalinda indulge in one last kiss

 

The opening scene in Act II, Orlofsky's party

 

Falke announces the "revenge of the bat" to the bored Orlofsky (Rebecca Noblet)

Orlofsky has an unusually liberal attitude for the time and announces all can behave as they please "Chac'un a son gout"

Adele impresses Eisenstein although he thinks she looks rather like his maid! She sings the lively laughing song with the chorus.

Frank arrives also in disguise to add to the confusion If the details of the plot escape you at this time, please look it up on the internet!

A glass of champagne livens up the party no end

Frank and Eisenstein both disguised as French aristocrats don't recognise each other and attempt to converse in broken French.

Rosalinda arrives disguised as an Hungarian countess. Eisenstein is attracted and attempts to seduce her with his special "ladies watch"

The guests doubt that she is Hungarian so Rosalinda sings the famous Csardas Klange der Heimat

Falke brings the party towards a climax with the haunting melody Bruderlein

More dancing and singing happen as you would expect. A visual and aural delight

The ballet girls provide a special entertainment

Time for Eisenstein to leave for his appointment at the prison. And for Frank to his duties as governor of the prison.

The prison officer Frosch (Michael Butcher) provided an amusing interlude at the atart of Act III

For somewhat obsure reasons Adele comes in to show off her talents to Frank, much to the delight of the three jailors.

Eisenstein realises he has been the victim and suffers the bat's revenge. But husband and wife are reconciled

All becomes clear as the revenge of the bat is explained and the scene reverts to the party and all the best tunes are reprised

The final curtain call