UK Theatre Network

The Adventures of Mr Brouček

Opera North at Theatre Royal, Newcastle

Unconventional is probably a fair way to describe The Adventures of Mr Brouček.

This co-production between Opera North and Scottish Opera is the first major British production since the 1990’s. It’s based upon two novels by Svatopluk Čech – The Excursion of Mr Brouček to the Moon and The Excursion of Mr Brouček to the 15^th Century.

Generally, his adventures begin and end in a beer barrel and Brouček is, essentially, a sort of drunken, operatic Mr Benn.

Firstly, after a quarrel in the local pub about the existence of life on the Moon, he falls and is transported to a surreal, clinical environment populated by a civilisation obsessed with art, poetry and all things aesthetic. There are some zany moments in the scenes that follow, which are most certainly to be taken with a large pinch of salt.

Brouček’s pompous opinions and lack of lunar etiquette soon land him in trouble, however, and he is forced to leave abruptly.

The second half sees him transported back in time to 1420 and slap-bang into the midst of a Czech battle. There is a distinct air of patriotism present throughout these scenes – all stirring battle songs and calls to arms. Brouček’s cowardice results in him faring no better in the past than he did in the future, and he is placed in a barrel to be burnt.

This vivid musical journey through space and time is a true ensemble piece, incorporating a strong cast of singers who each play multiple roles.

John Graham-Hall puts in a star-turn as the bumbling Brouček and almost succeeds in making the loathsome, lecherous loser likeable. Anne Sophie Duprels deserves a mention on two counts; firstly, for her wonderfully uninhibited performance as Málinka/Etherea/Kunka and, secondly, for doing it with a badly-sprained ankle. A real trouper, indeed.

Fun and eccentric, this was an enjoyable – yet rather bizarre – opera.

Steve Burbridge.

The Adventures of Mr Brouček was performed at Theatre Royal, Newcastle on Thursday 19^th November 2009.