Set in a degrading, urban environment where Mimi’s illness is not tuberculosis but Heroin addiction, this will be a gritty, harsh retelling of one of the great tragic love stories. This production of Puccini’s La Bohème will delve into the lives of six young friends whose poverty and unhappiness is perpetuated by their desire for escapism.

Sung in the original Italian with English surtitles and performed with an ensemble of four musicians, HeadFirst Productions presents a dystopia in which everyone is searching for a crutch with which they can avoid confronting the seeming futility of their existence. The world of sex, drugs and self-destruction will challenge the audience’s perceptions of the late 19th century work and celebrate the power of Puccini’s music.

This production was supported by the Arts Council England.

 

Director/Producer: Sophie Gilpin
Conductor: Kelvin Lim
Set & Costume Designer: Jason Southgate
Lighting Designer: Will Evans
Assistant Producer: Hannah Tookey
Language Coach: Fiona Murray

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Rodolfo: Ashley Catling

Mimi: Elizabeth Roberts

Marcello: Pauls Putnins

Musetta: Natalie Montakhab

Schaunard: Nicholas Merryweather

Colline: Matthew Tomko

Benoit & Alcindoro: Graham Stone

Chorus: Harriet Birchall, Rory Carver, Robbie Clarke, Sophie Conlon, Claudia Haussmann, Emma Hughes, Amon Ra