Review: La Bohème, Arcola Theatre

Grimeborn Opera Festival 2024

Review: La Bohème, Arcola Theatre

Summary

Rating

80

Excellent

A gritty modernised adaptation of a classic.

The term ‘bohemian’ originates from the French word for ‘Romani’, people once believed to hail from Bohemia. Today, it evokes a free-spirited, artistic lifestyle; precisely the world Puccini‘s La Bohème has long celebrated. In this bold reimagining at the Arcola Theatre, director Becca Marriott transports us from 19th-century Paris to the gritty streets of 2024 East London, breathing new life into the timeless tale of love, loss, and artistic struggle.

This adaptation strips away the rose-tinted view of poverty, delving deeper into the harsh realities of substance abuse, co-dependency, and emotional turmoil. The plot remains structurally familiar, but the tone is decidedly darker. We follow Ralph and Lucy, known as Mimi, young creatives barely scraping by, as they navigate love, jealousy, and heartbreak in a world that’s as unforgiving as it is inspiring.

The intimate Arcola stage proves the perfect setting for this production. The audience, mere feet from the performers, is drawn into every nuance of the emotional rollercoaster. Marriott, pulling triple duty as librettist, director, and lead actress, shines as Mimi. Her performance captures both the character’s fragile vulnerability and her spiralling addiction with haunting authenticity.

Martins Smaukstelis delivers a powerful portrayal of Ralph, his tenor voice impressing in the famous love duet and conveying the character’s struggle between love and helplessness in the face of Mimi’s decline. Thom Isherwood and Valerie Wong bring charm and vocal prowess to the secondary love story as Mark and Musetta.

Marriott’s libretto largely succeeds in updating the dialogue to match the contemporary setting. While some attempts at political relevance (such as references to Suella Braverman) feel slightly forced, the overall commentary aligns well with the original’s themes. Small, relatable details (like Ralph writing mind-numbing reviews for hair straighteners) add touches of humour and modern authenticity.

The set design brilliantly captures the essence of penniless creative types, with cluttered spaces and makeshift furnishings that feel genuine to modern East London. Clever use of the space and smart lighting enhance the intimacy, allowing the singers to perform without straining and to incorporate moments such as Musetta flirting with audience members to make Ralph jealous, creating a more personal and compelling storytelling experience.

This La Bohème is not for purists seeking a traditional rendition. However, for those open to a fresh, unflinching look at Puccini’s masterpiece, the Arcola’s production offers a deeply moving and relevant experience. Adaptations are never easy, but this one manages to both capture the charm of the original and make it palatable for modern audiences.

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La Bohème has finished its run at the Arcola Theatre.