Opera Scotland

China Doll a Neuropera in Four Seasons

Tours by decade

Tours by location

Music

Jakob Robertson

Text

Jakob Robertson

 

Premieres

First Performance: Edinburgh (Pleasance Dome), 5 August 2015.

 

Background

China Doll marks the professional writing debut of Jakob Robertson, a recent graduate of the Devon Academy of Performing Arts (Dartington), where he was a fellow-student of director Bryony Maguire. Many of the performers come from the same background, forming a company, Bad Habit Theatre, that intends to create innovative and accessible original opera for a new generation. The music used is a blend of newly-composed work with Erik Satie and other pieces in the public domain.

 

Summary

The work is described in the programme as a story of deceit, feigned pregnancy, smug mothers, whisky and sex. It is the story of Nina, Alone, childless and barren, she swindles a young boy into staying with her by feigning pregnancy, placing a china doll where here her own flesh and blood should be. Set in four seasons, with distinct musical styles and visual motifs.