Interview from the Cambridge Evening News 26/11/01

ON STAGE

Society takes on queen of operettas

Cambridge Operatic Society presents its 90th anniversary production Die Fledermaus at Cambridge Arts Theatre this week. JOANNE RILEY spoke to chairman of the group, Lynne Bullen. AN INFECTIOUS score combined with a hilarious story of disguise, adultery and mistaken identity, Die Fledermaus is often viewed as the queen of operettas. The Cambridge Operatic Society has chosen to stage a lavish production of Strauss' hugely popular work to celebrate its 90th anniversary. Chairman Lynne Bullen said: "It should be very glamorous and colourful and the costumes will be stupendous." A scintillating tale of romance, intrigue, deception and revenge, Die Fledermaus is set in Vienna in the 1890s. In the story, an operatic tenor serenades his married amour on the very night her husband, an incorrigible philanderer, must go to prison. The woman persuades her husband to secretly enjoy a masked ball hosted by a Russian millionaire. At the ball he totally fails to recognise his wife and flirts with her outrageously. The next day in prison, the practical joke is revealed and King Champagne is praised by all. The Operatic Society also performed Die Fledermaus at the 1972 Cambridge Festival . Lynne, who is the group's first female chairman, said: "It's full of songs that people will recognise, such as The Laughing Song and we have a 31-piece orchestra, complete with harpist." The production will be directed by Alistair Dorkin, who is also currently understudying Koko in the English National Opera's adaptation of The Mikado. Set up in 1911, the Cambridge Operatic Society's first production was The Mikado, repeated at the ArtsTheatre last year. Lynne said: "We've got a strong following of Gilbert and Sullivan fans in Cambridge and last year's show sold out. "We now try to do less of the old musicals, such as The Desert Song, and more operas and operettas, such as Carmen." The group celebrated its birthday with a party and cake in September. Lynne said: "We're very proud of our tradition as one of the oldest local societies still in existence that has always been independently run. "We've got a very talented committee and the secret of our success is enthusiasm. "We all work hard and play hard and are really looking forward to this show. It's got some wonderful music and I don't think people can fail to like Strauss." * Die Fledermaus plays at Cambridge Arts Theatre until Saturday, December 1 at 7.45pm. Tickets, between £5 and £17, can be booked on (01223) 503333.