With a brand-new English-language script, director Constantine Costi attempts to take the sex-trafficking sting out of Mozart’s early, fizzy opera The Abduction from the Seraglio. In Costi’s reimagining, far from being kidnapped, Konstanze and Blonde slip away from their nice-but-dim boyfriends Belmonte and Pedrillo to enjoy the pleasures on offer at the mysterious House of the Pasha. Cleo Lee-McGowan and Kyle Stegall star as the ‘serious’ couple with Katherine Allen and Douglas Kelly as the ‘comic relief’. Musical theatre performer Lyndon Watts appears in the famously non-singing role of the Pasha with Luke Stoker as Osmin, his bloodthirsty henchman. Chad Kelly conducts.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

The Abduction from the Seraglio is the epitome of Mozart’s musical genius. With bold, contemporary staging and updated libretto, Victorian Opera is reimagining this opera for modern audiences.

The darkly comic opera tells the story of Konstanze and Blonde, who are kidnapped by the mysterious Pasha Selim. He holds them captive and falls desperately in love with Konstanze.

Konstanze’s fiancé Belmonte attempts a daring rescue with the help from his trusted right-hand man Pedrillo, Blonde’s sweetheart. But their efforts are thwarted by Pasha Selim’s villainous offsider Osmin.

Weaved between the drama of heroism and suffering are moving moments of unrequited love, unshakeable loyalty, and even a few laughs. Mozart’s score is rich with feeling, nuance and breathless energy. It is a historic masterpiece of theatre that everyone should see at least once, if they have the chance.