Since watching this when it first aired on the BBC, I have been awaiting the DVD release. Bought it as soon as I saw it for sale which must mean I like it, right?! Well, I do like it. I like it a lot. There is a lot to like about it. But it also occurs to me that this 'Opera' has polarized opinion to such an extent into the twin extremes of love it or hate it that it's difficult to view it objectively.
It would take too, too long to go through a full critique but a couple of plus and a negative points to get a discussion going. Plus point, was the irreverence of the piece - as a biting satire it is intelligent and astute and very amusing. The first half, especially, really does "hold a mirror up to society" with far greater validity than The Jerry Springer Show itself ever has. On the other hand, the second half doesn't fully work for me - too much reliance on foul language for comedic effect and not enough substance to the resolution.
Another plus would be the score and choreography which are excellent. But conversely, I think two or three of the singers let the production down. The diaper-wearing Jesus turns in the kind of crude, obvious performance more often seen in amateur dramatics and the big guy/God singer seemed frequently out of tune to me and his diction was awful.
So there you have it... or at least a start to it. Not a flawless production but pretty damn good. Refreshing, I'd say. And I would defend anybody's right to view it. Make up your own mind, that's what I'd say I understand that Sainsburys and Woolworths have pulled it off their shelves to appease a noisy minority. Must remember not to shop there then!
