La Boheme

If you are expecting a vibrant Baz Luhrmann production, you're in for disappointment. This is just a 'modern' take on the famous opera, which ultimately means La Boheme in jeans. This results in a mixed feeling production: it doesn't have the ellegance of a normal opera production and at the same time it's not fresh or vibrant enough to be appealling for youngsters. If you are as ignorant as I am on opera, you will just get an array of disheveled characters screaming all way through a quite simple story. It is impossible to get it without subtitles, but then when you turn them on, they spend 45 seconds just saying 'hello' to each other. It just feels cartoonish and out of place. I tried to see it three times before sending it back, but always fell asleep. And boy, I did have unpleasant dreams!

This is Boheme updated to the 1950s, add to that young singers who look, sing and really act their parts, and you have a recipe for success.

The main protagonists are dressed in bright colours, making them stand out against the all pervading grey and deep blue of everything else, even the crowds in Act 1 Scene 2 are kept in shadows. The stage sets are modern and minimalist, but somehow create the space needed, the Parisian square is amazingly effective.

Cheryl Barker and David Hobson are superb as the lovers Mimi and Rodolfo, I would love to see them in Traviata but unfortunately this appears to be the only recording of them.

Christine Douglas is a fine, feisty Musetta that never goes over the top.

This is a Boheme that grabs you emotionally from the first note, and by the time Mimi dies most people will be in tears, it is simply that overwhelming.

The striking scene where Mimi and Rodolfo sing “Lovely maid in the moonlight” on a Parisian parapet standing in the middle of a neon sign “L’Amour” reminds us the producer is Baz Lurhmann who went on to make “Moulin Rouge”.

This is one of those productions that redefines an opera, and no matter what your favourite version you should see this.

Baz Luhrman is supposed to be bringing a version of this production of La Boheme to London in 2004/2005. If it's half as moving as this production, it will be impressive.

Some will hate the modernisation of the tale but the younger and more open-minded viewers should appreciate the talented, young, attractive cast. These people can sing beautifully and act their socks off at the same time.

David Hobson is still visibly sobbing at the curtain calls.

HIGHLY recommended.