Guy Edwards
The Magic Flute
Kennet Opera
2008
I was most grateful to Kennet opera for casting me in this outrageously silly Mozartian romp. I had originally auditioned for the role of Tamino (Ben Thapa a former X-Factor winner got that role), but the Musical Director wondered if I would sing the baritone role of Papageno instead. What a great, fun role it was! The Newbury Weekly News review was very positive, especially considering this was only my second full opera!
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... Guy Edwards was a star turn: in green wellies, hat with a feather, and gamekeeper's bag on his shoulder, he gave a fine comic performance as Papageno..."
This was the poster for Kennet Opera's Magic Flute which played in November 2008. The pigeon's name is Percy. (Photo by Vikki Champion)
Because of the updated setting, in Kennet Opera's 2008 production, Papageno was a gamekeeper rather than a bird-catcher and sang "I am the gamekeeper, that's my game, and Papageno is my name!"
Poor old Papageno - his lips padlocked for telling lies, he tries to persuade Tamino (played by Ben Thapa) to help him out of his predicament!
Papageno equipped with the very latest technology - random-note generating pan-pipes and wellington boots!
Papageno sampling some of the Temple's wine slowly realizes that wine isn't the answer - he needs a good woman! ("A pretty girl to be my wife is Papageno's plan, Oh! I would live a merry life, and be a happy man!")
Papageno and Pamina have just escaped from the clutches of the evil Monostatos by the cunning use of magic bells. This is opera...so of course, they have to sing about it!
Loosely translated..."For men who feel love's sweet emotions.." Papageno's gorgeous duet with Pamina (Olivia Hinman) who reminds him what a wonderful arrangement marriage is and assures him that one day, he will find his Papagena!
The Three Ladies sending Tamino and Papageno off on their mission to rescue Pamina. Papageno is still wondering how the heck he got into this mess, while Tamino is madly in love with Pamina's portrait!
... and finally, Papageno finds happiness and fulfilment (and all the other things that this strange story is about!) in the form of the lovely Papagena (Sam Spaak).