The Improvesarios create a new Valentine's opera – the Unveiling!

Rebecca Chandler and Stephen Brown. Photo courtesy of the artists.

The fabulous Improvesarios were back at the Loft Studio Theatre on Valentine's Night for another of their hilarious improvised operas.  With suggestions from the audience they come up with the setting for a new opera, then instantly, on the spot, make up the story, the music and the songs' lyrics.

With Saturday being Valentine's Day, there couldn’t have been anything more appropriate than a wedding themed opera. Although ideas suggested by the audience were for the opera to be set: (a) in a bathtub, (b) in ancient Egypt and (c) at the wrong wedding. When put to the vote the loudest cheer opted for (c). The opera was to be set at the wrong wedding. And the title, also chosen by the audience was The Unveiling.

With just a few scant props, this quartet of classically trained singers – three performing and singing, and the fourth on keyboard, then conjure up the arias, the music and the fun. Every single note, word and piece of action is thought up on the spot – producing something new and unique.

Stephen Brown, Rebecca Chandler and Becca Madden. Photo courtesy of the artists.

This skilled group comprise of Director Rebecca Madden who is a Rugby based soprano; Assistant Producer Rebecca Chandler a Mezzo-Soprano;  Producer Stephen Brown a London based Heldentenor, and on keyboard is Musical Director Dominic Bentham (DipABRSM) based in South East London. All have outstanding achievements in the more serious world of classical music – but they all absolutely love the challenge of improvisation.

So, with the challenge on Valentine's Night of creating a new opera called The Unveiling, they came up with the story of Janice (Rebecca Chandler) about to marry Gerry (Stephen Brown), she has her maid of honour at her side (Becca Madden), but they turn up at the wrong wedding! Here another groom John (Stephen Brown) is waiting to marry his bride Alice. Chaos and confusion arise. Janice needs to get across town to a different church. Cue audience for ideas on transport. It results in a bathtub on a skateboard! Cue the performers to improvise one – two chairs, some odds and end props and Janice’s carriage awaits!

At the next wedding, we meet bridegroom Gerry, (Stephen Brown) who is having second thoughts about marrying Janice. He has his Best Man at his side (Becca Madden), with an impatient vicar (Rebecca Chandler) eager to get the wedding started. 

The Improvesarios with musical director Dominic Bentham at the back. Photo courtesy of the artists.

The music doesn’t stop, and pianist Dominic Bentham creates the tunes and the atmospheric background music as moods change along with the story action. It’s brilliant and funny and the audience are loving it. Meanwhile, it has to be said, we’re treated to some amazing singing from these talented artists.

Final scene, Bridegroom Gerry (Stephen Brown) spots the bathtub carriage pulled by a horse (Becca Madden) approaching. Bride Janice (Rebecca Chandler) arrives with horse and Maid of Honour (yes, both played by Becca Madden), and it appears that Gerry’s had too much time to think what he’s getting in to, and the wedding is off!

But we’d had two hours of brilliant impromptu fun, fabulous singing and music – and I can’t wait to see The Improvesarios again.

Discover more: https://improvesarios.com/

See what’s next at The Loft: https://lofttheatrecompany.com/