Donizetti The Daughter of the Regiment English Touring Opera, October 1998 Director Ian Spink Lighting Davy Cunningham
Reviews
Thavoris’ two designs were elegant with both an edge of seriousness in the imposing Tyrolean mountain ranges in regimental greys and reds of the first act, and of frivolousness in the English-country-house antics of Act II. This provided a solid foundation that the opera desperately needs, and all this in the tiny space the Richmond Theatre provides. The coup de théâtre came during what must be the quickest scene change in history, introducing the Act II set as the curtain was falling at the end of Act I, accompanied by gasps from the audience. (Opera Now magazine)
Yannis Thavoris’s sets are boldly coloured, and his costumes time-travel through 150 years without any sense of incongruity. (Times)
... And there’s another joke in this production, about Swiss identity and alpine scenes (the action happens in the Tyrol) which is so adroitly handled that the real star of the show is the designer, Yannis Thavoris, who delivers every opera company’s dream of something stylish, sharp and clever on a tiny budget. Note that name. This is a major talent in the making. (Independent on Sunday)
