With the Swansea City Opera bringing their production of La Boheme (sung in English) to Margate on the 28th May, we caught up with some of the cast.
Mark Saberton
Q: What was the most challenging element, if any, you faced for the La Boheme tour?
A: The biggest challenge was learning a new translation and making sure that all the words can be heard with clear diction.
Q: Is there anything in particular about this production that stands out to you?
A: The production is set at the end of World War 2 which gives the story an interesting backdrop.
Q: How do you think experienced opera audiences will view of this production of La Boheme?
A: All the usual elements are present for a production of Boheme. You will always get people who believe that you should honour the original time period but the story remains the same and is totally relevant in the 1940’s.
Q: How do you think audiences new to the opera genre will view this production of La Boheme?
A: I think they will enjoy first class voices and be impressed by the quality of the production.
Q: What do you love about the character you play?
A: Schaunard is a fun-loving and carefree musician!
Q: What do you hate about the character you play?
A: I would like my character to have a proper aria as well as the so-called parrot sketch which is a story constantly interrupted by the other students with random interjections. This tale is taken from the original Murger book. Schaunard goes along to give lessons to an eccentric Englishman who it turns out wants him to play his instrument until an annoying pet parrot drops dead. Bored of playing for three whole days he gives the bird some parsley which is poisonous to parrots! A charming story! These students are not necessarily nice people!