f=Clarion MT s=10 w=10 l=10.5SOUTHGATE College Opera will be raising the roof of the Gladys Child Theatre next month with a high spirited performance of Offenbach's operetta, La Belle Helene.o
La Belle Helene is as relevant today as at its first performance in 1864, when Offenbach sent up the materialistic society of 1860s Paris.
The production focuses on human nature including male and female vanity, seduction and bureaucratic inefficiency.
It is an uproarious send-up of the ancient Greek heroes and their gods, with a plot loosely based on the events leading up to the Trojan War.
The focus is on Helen, wife of King Menelaus, who is in the fortunate position of being blessed by the goddess of Aphrodite with the power to attract any man she wants.
The beautiful, tuneful music conducted by musical director Neil Cloake, moves effortlessly from the humorous to the sensuous as Helen conducts her affair with Paris, son of King Priam of Troy, under the watchful eye of pompous Greek heroes.
The production, directed by Clive Bebee, has a cast including several long standing principles and a set designed by David Luck, who is well known for his innovative and exciting productions.
La Belle Helene is at the Gladys Child Theatre, High Street, Southgate, from Tuesday December 4 to Saturday December 8 at 7.30pm plus a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.
Tickets are priced £8 to £10. Call the box office on 8350 5772.
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