⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Neither director nor cast took itself too seriously, allowing the singers to take risks and explore their comedic potential" - Opera Now
⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Fans of operettas will be at home with the optimistic characters, jolly tone and utter absurdities on display here....The ebullient performances from the cast and intelligent use of the intimate space add to the sheer joyfulness" - Broadway World
⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The revival of Planquette’s rarely-seen work is a treat from a talented small opera company. Given how enjoyable it is, it’s a real shame it has such a short run" - The Reviews Hub
⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A most interesting evening with some gorgeous singing from highly talented young artistes!" - Londontheatre1.com
Rip Van Winkle is an English-language operetta by Robert Planquette based on two stories by Washington Irving - Rip van Winkle and the famous Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The piece premiered at the Comedy Theatre in London in 1882, running for around 300 performances – but although popular at the time, it had not been seen in its English version since the nineteenth century.
With a cast of exceptional singers, Gothic Opera approached this charming piece with fresh eyes, reinvigorating it with a new chamber arrangement and newly-written dialogue.
Cast
Rip: Robert Garland
Gretchen: Béatrice de Larragoïti
Derrick: Stephen Whitford
Katrina: Alice Usher
Hans: Valerie Wong
Alice: Hannah Bennett
Lieutenant 1/ensemble: Isabelle Atkinson
Lieutenant 2/ensemble: Phoebe Rayner
Knickerbocker/ensemble: Lars Fischer
Hudson/ensemble: Thomas Litchev
Nick/ensemble: Alex Riddell
Ensemble: Jamie Formoy
Director: Evangeline Cullingworth
Conductor: Robin Wallington
Arranger: Leon Haxby
Set and Costume Designer: Elliott Squire
Lighting Designer: Catja Hamilton
Assistant Conductor/Répétiteur: Francesca Lauri
Assistant Designer/Costume Supervisor: Isabel Southey
Producer: Helene Mathiesen
With grateful thanks to our supporters:
The Fidelio Charitable Trust,
& generous individual donors