Photo by Debbie Walker Tremlett.
Whenever I see the word ‘DivaLicious’ in connection with an event, I nag my editor to let me attend as a reviewer. There is a slight problem, however, in that I am becoming known as a fangirl who never says anything bad about this amazing duo.
That’s because their work can scarcely be faulted. I first reviewed DivaLicious back in 2011, when they made their debut appearance at Chamber Jam. Since then the duo has gone from strength to strength. Just as I think their work has surely reached its pinnacle, sopranos Penny Shaw and Fiona Cooper Smyth pull out new tricks to further demonstrate their creative and highly entertaining approach to opera.
The whole idea of the Fringe Festival, of course, is to introduce new performers, new works – and new approaches by established artists. The Impressario is not a new work, but the DivaLicious ladies have taken Mozart’s little satire and turned it into a rollicking riot of a send-up. They have also, perhaps, improved on the original work for modern audiences by updating the text, changing the setting to today’s Australia and adding lots of well-known Mozart arias – with of course, new, tongue-in-cheek lyrics.
DivaLicious is a versatile act. They can appear with just an accompanist or with guest artists. For this Fringe show they brought in singers Igor Sas, Robert Hofmann and Ian Toyne, with the gifted accompanist Tommaso Pollio at the piano. The ensemble appeared seamless, with gags and musical numbers flowing through the plot.
The basic concept concerns rival divas competing for the prized title of prima donna of an opera company whose director (Igor Sas) is driven to distraction by their antics. Robert Hofmann, as his long-suffering assistant and wannabe performer, was highly amusing while proving himself to be a fine baritone. Ian Toyne made a very entertaining Alan Angel, a mining magnate who has been silly enough to bed both the leading ladies, hoping neither one would realise what was going on. The name Alan was well-chosen, bonded as it is to a certain well-known West Australian. Sly digs at arts funding and the lack thereof brought knowing smiles to quite a few faces.
The work was, of course, incredibly funny and extraordinarily well staged, given that the foyer of the art gallery was never intended for such goings-on. The acting area was tiny – nowhere near big enough for the entire ensemble. When they were all on the miniscule platform, the word ‘sardines’ came rapidly to mind. A special mention of Geoffrey Glencross is appropriate: he is to be commended for his lighting expertise under less than optimum conditions.
Watch out for the DivaLicious team’s appearance in The Pearl Fishers with the West Australian Opera later this year.
Rating: 4.5 stars ​out of 5
