Lyric Opera delivers a powerful and long overdue revival of The Children’s Bach at Theatre Works.
The Children’s Bach begins with Dexter and Athena Fox, their son, and the insulated world they’ve built together. When a friend from Dexter’s past resurfaces and slowly begins to introduce the couple to the city’s bohemian underbelly, Athena begins to wonder if life might hold more for her, and the tenuous bonds that tie the Foxes together start to fray.
The Children’s Bach at Theatre Works
- Until 7 September 2024
- Theatre Works, Acland Street, St Kilda
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The first thing you notice is the stunning vocal ability of the performers. Every cast member delivers their lines with extraordinary skill, elevating the dialogue to new heights. The play challenges its audience to reconcile everyday dialogue performed with such force and resonance, adding an intriguing dimension throughout.
The chamber orchestra adds another layer of emotive power, as does the set. Theatre Works is renowned for its striking set designs and the platform it offers its productions, so be prepared to be delighted as The Children’s Bach slowly reveals additional scenes while the Foxes’ lives unravel. Everything about the opera is impressively measured, from its concise, sharp scenes to its overall duration, which ends on a powerful note, leaving your head spiralling into intriguing conversations on the journey home.
The standout performance comes from the accomplished Kate Amos, who plays Athena with scene-stealing prowess. She carries much of the emotional weight of the production in her voice and troubled gaze. It’s also impossible not to be impressed by Michael Honeyman’s exceptional verismo baritone.
Special mention goes to Lyric Opera, one of the few companies brave enough to produce contemporary Australian operas. Helen Garner is an iconic Melbourne writer, and The Children’s Bach is a seminal portrait of its time, brought to life with the respect it deserves.
Bookings are available through the Theatre Works website, and seating is limited.
