Opera offers wonderful music, fantastic sets

By ERICKA MILLER
School of Communication
University of Miami

PRAGUE— “La Belle et la Bete” or “Beauty and the Beast” as the French know it— is a combination of fantastic sets, wonderful music and some so-so acting. Added up, it makes for a good, but not great, night at the opera in Prague’s National Theatre.

The performers put on a lackluster show when it came to really conveying the thoughts and emotions of their characters. And, at times, audience members may have found themselves trying to compensate for the mediocre acting by averting their eyes to the subtitles which are displayed at the top of the stage.

Viewers will find it both difficult and frustrating trying to read the words and watch the actions that go along with them, making this a problem throughout the entire night.

While the acting of those on stage fell short, performers made up for it with their immense vocal talent. Each and every singer, especially leads Jana Stefackova (Belle) and Alexandra Beri (the Beast), boasted wonderful voices that moved easily throughout their pieces.

Vocals were the highlight of the evening and were enhanced by the music of the Agon Orchestra, conducted by Petr Kofron. The orchestra began in 1983 as a platform for young Czech composers and musicians who were outside of the current Czech musical establishment.

It is known for its choices of modern music and has played several festivals as well as stages shows in Europe. For “La Bell et la Bete” selections were chose from the American minimalist composer, Philip Glass, writer of the music for the film of the same name back in 1946. The orchestra plays an unusually large role in the play actually interacting with the performers onstage throughout the show.

A strange— and unexpected— intermission keeps the audience in its seats and glued to what is happening both on and off the stage. Both the music and the unexpected twists and turns help add some light fun to the performance.

The first-known written version of “La Belle et la Bete” was published sometime in the 1550s. Later, in 1697, Charles Perrault popularized the work in The Tales of Mother Goose. Another adaptation was developed in 1740 and it was again put into a simplified version in 1757, by Madame Villeneuve. It was this version that Cocteau used as his source when he wrote his screenplay for the film, La Belle et la Bete, in 1946.

The National Theatre’s version of “La Belle et la Bete” is directed by Petr Forman, with set designs being done by his brother, Matej. Twin brothers Petr and Matej joined in 1989 to create the Forman Brothers.

This is the duo’s first production together, done within the constraints of a conventional theater. The team worked on puppet shows during summers in the 1980s. Then, in 2000, the Forman Brothers began productions on a renovated barge that did shows at towns along the river.

“La Belle et la Bete” first premiered in Czech on Aug. 28, 2003, and returned to the stage for a little over a week, running June 29 through July 9.

Those unfamiliar with the original film might be surprised at how greatly it differs from the well-known animated Disney film “Beauty and the Beast”. Throughout the course of the opera, viewers will notice the absence of major scenes, songs and even a few characters from the movie.

Among some of the most noticeable, the absence of animated house servants, Gaston and his song, any mention of Belle’s father’s inventions and several other musical numbers which appeared throughout the Disney film. Audience members will also note the addition of some new characters: Belle has two evil sisters, a brother, and the brother’s friend who is romantically interested in her.

The show’s costuming is minimal compared with other major operas and musicals shown at major venues and, in the end, comes up on the short side. The Beast resembles an ape more than the fierce creature most would imagine and odd looking creatures are around every set corner.

So, if you’re looking for the glitz and glamour of a New York or London production you’re bound to feel short-changed after attending this interpretation of “Beauty and the Beast.”

But if you want an evening full of beautiful surroundings, wonderful orchestra music, and don’t mind the lack of great acting, “La Belle et la Bete” just might be the perfect ticket in town.

Bottom line, while it’s not going to win any awards, at 330 to 530 crowns for admission, it’s also not going to put a dent in your pocketbook.

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