Ice Cream: The Opera from the Skipton Building Society Camerata and Bradford’s own Freedom Studios is pretty much like Ice Cream: The Product – sweet, appealing to all ages, and perfect for a summer’s afternoon in City Park.
It’s not really that substantial. It won’t spoil your tea. We have a pretty good idea from the outset that young lovers Romano and Geetha will end up together. It is, after all, a sundae matinee.
The flavours are familiar. Two families are at war; in this case, over turf rights to the best pitch in the street. An older generation of parents are locked in conflict before they’re confounded by a new, common enemy – the supermarkets are killing the van trade.
Things come to a violent and sticky climax (don’t ask) before the young lovers overcome adversity, offering a new hope combining the best of their traditions.
It’s opera that leaves you with a smile on your face. But opera that also, beneath the sweet coating, confronts current issues. “We were here first” sings Hannah Mason, menacingly, as Romano’s mother. “I’m not talking about ice cream …” The four principal singers are supported by a community chorus, including members of the Bradford Friendship Choir for asylum seekers and friends.
Barnsley poet Ian McMillan is the librettist, and he has great fun lampooning the conventions of opera.
There’s a lot of eye-rolling from Geetha’s dad (Spiro Fernando) as the principals burst into song at moments of high melodrama, and even a nod to Bollywood as the young lovers (Tara Mansfield and Joseph Doody) never quite manage a proper kiss.
Raspberry juice has a central role in both plot and lyrics, instantly evoking the taste of hot summer days, sunburn and petrol fumes for generations of West Yorkshire families.
Tom Wright directs a cracking half hour introduction to opera for those who’ve not experienced it before, with Russell Sarre’s score performed live under the musical direction of Ben Crick.
Whilst I was there a little asian lass about six years old weaved her way through the crowd to stand in front of me, so she could see what was going on. Her eyes shone as she looked up at the singers clutching their oversized lollies, and her mouth dropped open at dramatic moments in the tale.
I’d reckon she’s more likely to try another opera in future after this tempting treat. I’m not sure she’d be equally enthralled by a two-hour telecast from the Royal Opera House on City Park’s big screen.
It’s another innovative production from Freedom Studios, this time in association with Spin Arts. Previous shows have been staged in a chip shop, the basement of a derelict M&S store, and the loos at Bradford Interchange. It was commissioned for Bradford Festival.
Photography by Maria Spadafora