OperaUpClose: The Magic Flute

OperaUpClose presents The Magic Flute, a bold take on the classic Mozart opera, now playing at the Soho Theatre.

Glyn Maxwell’s radical translation of the text adds new characters, shrinks the cast to six members, gives new roles to new people and forges storylines. There is no spoken word in this iteration of The Magic Flute.

The story takes the audience into several of the character’s dreams, which all are taking place at the Queen of the Night nightclub.

The cast alternates, but delivers an impeccable performance that even Mozart may have appreciated, albeit bold and a bit brash.

The cast of OperaUpClose’s The Magic Flute include:

Pamina – Played by Abigail Kelly and Susie Buckle

Abigail Kelly completed her undergraduate studies at Birmingham Conservatoire and earned a PGDip in opera at RSAMD. She has played in Le Nozze di Figaro, La Gazza Ladra, The Waiter’s Revenge, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Paul Bunyan, Cosi fan tutte and more. She has also performed with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and Opera South Africa.

Susie Buckle studied at Trinity Laban. Her recent premieres include Banished (as Nance), Dead Equal (as Emily), King Harald’s Saga (as King Olaf/The Soldier) and The Rattler (as Alyson).

Papageno – Played by Tom Stoddart and Peter Brathwaite

Tom Stoddart, a baritone, studied voice at Trinity College of Music. Even after graduation, he continues his studies with Robert Dean. His recent engagements include roles in 7 Deadly Sins (as 3rd brother), The Messiah and Il Barbiere di Siviglia.

Peter Brathwaite was born in Manchester and graduated from Newcastle University with a First Class degree in Philosophy and Fine Art. He also earned his Master’s degree from the Royal College of Music.

Queen of the Night – Played by Luci Briginshaw and Fleur de Bray

Luci Briginshaw was born in Oxford. She studied Italian and Music at London’s King’s College. She has appeared in Patience, Don Giovanni, Die Fledermaus, La Boheme, Rigoletto, The Pearl Fishers, and La Traviata.

Fleur de Bray was trained with Sandra Dugdale at The Royal Northern College of Music and also at the Wales International Academy of Voice. She made her debut at the Royal Opera House in 2015 in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Papagena – Played by Rose Middleton and Felicity Buckland

Rosie Middleton was born in Manchester and studied at the Royal Northern College of Music. She holds a Master’s in opera and vocal performance. She made her debut at the Royal Opera House in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Other roles include The Marriage of Figaro and Trope.

Felicity Buckland trained at the Royal Northern College of Music and the ENO’s Opera Works. She has played in Le Cenerenola, Orpheus in the Underworld, The Marriage of Figaro, and The Dream of Gerontius.