Masterclass at the Hayes Theatre

MASTERCLASS BY TERENCE MCNALLY HAYES THEATRE AUGUST 2015 This is a totally mesmerizing,enthralling production about the life and times of the great opera Diva Maria Callas. It is a fictional re - imagining of one of the 1971 masterclasses that Callas gave in 1971 at the Julliard School in 1971 and we are in the audience . We see Callas’ approach to three students – Sophie, Tony and Sharon . Maria Mercedes as Callas is superb , hypnotic and powerful in a towering, intense performance , every inch a Diva . In stylish theatrical black she prowls and fills the stage like an uneasy tiger. At times she is starkly , dramatically lit so her face becomes the famous Callas mask of white face and red lips with huge expressive eyes. We learn about Callas’ life , her life with Onasis , some of her famous roles ( Tosca, Medea , Norma etc) and most importantly her life and approach to music and art , how she gave everything for it and ‘the theatre is a temple ‘ and you must be prepared to work, work, work and submerse yourself in the role . There are some haunting , passionate monologues and fiery interactions with the ‘victims’. At one point Callas, remembering herself singing at the top of her form, says: “That’s who I am. This voice.” as she remembers her performances at ,say ,La Scala or Covent Garden or the Met . And then there are here interactions with Manny ( Manuel ) Weinstock the accompanist as charmingly played by Cameron Thomas , who has worked with Callas previously and knows her approach. Young, enthusiastic Sophie De Palma , shy and gentle ,was delightfully played by Georgia Wilkinson in a beautiful very early short 1970’s pale apricot dress. Young and passionate she soaks up Callas’ advice like a sponge. Her chosen aria was from Bellinini’s La Sonnambula ( The Sleepwalker ). Tony Candolino ( Blake Bowden) the handsome tenor is at the beginning of his session arrogant and confident but under Callas’ blistering questions learns and changes. He sings Cavadarossi’s lovely aria from Tosca Act1. At the end Callas eventually grudgingly compliments him and wishes him well . He has aa fine voice but needs to do his homework more , but will go far ( or so we gather Callas thinks) . Sharon Graham ( Terese Duddy), fiery and passionate but petrified , who we also eet in Act 2 , wears an absolutely divine long sleeved pale green formal evening gown studded with pearls at the waist .It is perhaps a bit too formal for the occasion but is stunning. Her choice to work on is the difficult letter monologue from Verdi’s Macbeth. Callas harshly demolishes her before she sings a note and Sharon vanishes but then later she suddenly returns having decided to try again. Callas admires her courage and coaxes her, demanding the coldness and hardness necessary for the role and while acknowledging she has a lovely voice eventually says she isn’t really suited for the role. Sharon leaves, absolutely furious. The confrontation sparks Callas’ memories of her affair with, and abandonment by, Aristotle Onassis, and Mercedes as Callas delivers an intense shattering emotional climax . A riveting, passionate exploration of Callas and her life. Masterclass ran at the Hayes Theatre 11- 30 August 2015 Running time 2 hours 20 ( approx.) including interval Maria Callas – Maria Mercedes Many Weinstock Cameron Thomas Sophie de Palma Georgia Wilkinson Tony Candolino Blake Bowden ‘ Sharpon Graham Terese Duddy Stagehand Luke Holmes Director DanielLammin Costume Desogn Owen Phillips Lighting Design Brendan Jellie Sound James Hogan