If this is the direction that contemporary opera is heading, then the genre is in safe hands
Presented by: State Opera South Australia
Reviewed: 8 May, 2025
Jonathan Dove’s Flight is heralded as the most popular opera written in the last 80 years. After seeing State Opera South Australia’s latest production, it is clear to see why. It is a visual and aural feast that will have you laughing and weeping.
First premiering in 1998, Flight is set in an airport terminal. The passengers, crew and airport staff are grounded due to a storm, and are unable to leave the airport or each other’s company. The story is centred around a stateless refugee, which in turn is based on the true story of the man who was forced to live for 18 years at Charles de Gaulle Airport. His story is also the inspiration behind the Spielberg and Tom Hanks 2004 film The Terminal.
Flight is the perfect opening to State Opera South Australia’s 2025 season, especially with their vision statement “Opera Without Borders”. This production is more accessible for the general public compared to some of the more traditional operatic fare. For the avid opera lovers, it has world-class trained performers whose technique is in fine form, and for those new to the genre, it is sung entirely in English and musically includes elements reminiscent of classic musical theatre.
Jonathan Dove’s stunning score and April De Angelis’ playful lyrics launch the genre of opera into the modern world. At times it feels like a musical theatre score, with flavours of Berstein, Rodgers and Hammerstein and the vocal complexity of Stephen Sondheim. The score is magnificently played by our beloved Adelaide Symphony Orchestra under the careful guidance of conductor Charlotte Corderoy, who keeps the whole work propelling forward at all times.
It should be acknowledged that Flight is certainly not your traditional opera, and therefore if you are a complete traditionalist in the genre of opera, do your research. However, this is the direction that opera needs to head to open the doors to a new generation of audiences. This production is bold, funny, cheeky and beautifully staged.
Director Stephen Barlow has assembled a first-class cast for Flight. A huge amount of detail has been put into this production to give the characters much needed depth. This is a brilliant example of ensemble theatre. Each of the ten characters have their moment and their stories weave in and out of each other. As the Refugee, James Laing’s countertenor voice is magnificent. Beautifully matched to Laing’s voice is Anna Voshege’s soaring soprano voice as the Controller. Her range is phenomenal, and many times you felt that it was going to take off into the stratosphere. Both Laing and Voshege’s characters shared a number of poignant moments together and their vocal duets had a warming blend.
Troubled engaged couple Bill and Tina were perfectly played by Nina Korbe and Henry Choo. Korbe’s sweet soprano voice and Choo’s rich tenor voice are a perfect match. They make their struggles in their relationship believable and you can’t help but take sides as each other’s faults come to light.
Cherie Boogaart as Older Woman, Ashlyn Tymms as Stewardess and Samuel Dale Johnson as Steward bring some incredible comic relief. Boogaart knows how to say so much to an audience through facial expressions alone, often driving home a comic line with a sideways glance or gesture. Tymms mezzo-soprano voice is simply devine and Dale Johnson’s rich baritone voice could melt butter. These three roles are perfectly cast.
As a married couple about to embark on a new life in Minsk, Jeremy Tatchell and Fiona McArdle are brilliant. Their uptempo number in the first act about moving to Minsk is a real highlight of Flight. Both have exceptional stage presence and voices to match.
Rounding out the cast as Immigration Officer is Teddy Tahu Rhodes. With only a brief appearance in the first act, hanging out till mid act three to hear his rich and warming bass-baritone is certainly worth it.
Flight is only playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre until Saturday 10 May. With such a limited season, do what you can to see this fresh, entertaining opera production. If this is the direction that contemporary opera is heading, then the genre is in safe hands.
Reviewed by Ben Stefanoff
Photo credit: Andrew Beveridge
Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre
Season: 8 – 10 May, 2025
Duration: 2 hours and 40 minutes (including a 20 minute intermission)
Tickets: From $75 (plus booking fees)
Bookings: https://stateopera.com.au/productions/flight/
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