Sadness, anxiety, miners and Britten

In the year since May 2013, OHP have experienced several bereavements of close and precious people associated with the company and it's  been a long, emotionally exhausting twelve months. Most recently, Christine Collins, founder supporter of the Christine Collins Young Artists scheme, passed away leaving not just those within the company devastated but also the fifty people the CCYA has helped over the past three years (http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/subsites/operahollandpark/christinecollins.aspx). 

We can think of no better tribute to her than for people to come along to the Young Artists performance of Turn of the Screw on 10th July and to celebrate the talent she has helped nurture.

http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/subsites/operahollandpark/2014season/theturnofthescrew/youngartists.aspx The arts would be nothing without people like Christine and we should always remember and treasure them.

First night is three weeks away which suggests the theatre is ready. It isn't. But it is no less ready than it ever is; I just don't ever stop being anxious about it. Carpets are down (yes, carpets) and a biblical scale clean is about to ensue. These are the things that occupy me. Toilets, too. Toilets occupy me a great deal because, well, this is England after all and they matter. A week and a bit will pass and the company will be working on stage and I will get to see Fanciulla again. I can't tell you how pleased I am about that and you should fully expect to be assailed - without pause - for the next month about the brilliance of this opera.

The other production that is starting to occupy my thoughts is Turn of the Screw. Those who have followed OHP's development will understand what a big moment it will be on July 1st when Britten's stark and unfettered psychological opera appears in Holland Park for the first time. Such is the promise of Annilese Miskimmon's production, on our stage, that I find the prospect somewhat disconcerting. 

And summer is arriving tomorrow. Which is nice.