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Will presidential show win votes?

Angela Kelly
29/10/2008

A NEW show coming the Lowry next week will reflect daily newspaper headlines.

Of Thee I Sing is a fascinating production by Opera North about an American presidential election.

One of George and Ira Gershwin’s most famous Broadway musicals and based on the book by George S Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind, it was the first opera to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1932.

Although it’s been billed as a gentle satire of the US political process, director Caroline Gawn explained, it’s more than that. "It’s a kind of fantasy and quite anarchic. But as well as the wonderful songs you would expect from the Gershwins, it’s well written and packed with one-liners."

People have gathered for a rally to campaign for ‘Wintergreen for President’ but news from across the country is not encouraging and, with only a few weeks to go before the election, party leaders need a new strategy.

They ask a hotel chambermaid her opinion and she tells them she is interested in money, and failing that, love.

So, they decide that Wintergreen will now run a ‘love campaign’.

They plan a national beauty contest, culminating in a pageant, when the winner will marry Wintergreen. He, though, is uncomfortable about the whole business and, when left alone, turns to one of the campaign secretaries, homely Mary Turner.

When he finds out she can make corn muffins, he falls in love with her and proposes. In the meantime, beautiful Diana Devereaux wins the pageant.

Who will Wintergreen marry? And will he win the election?

The plot may sound fluffy but, Caroline said, audiences on this tour so far are definitely in tune with its satirical nature and with the music.

"We have been planning to stage Of Thee I Sing for at least 10 years but we missed the American election last time around for various reasons and were determined to coincide with it this time," she said.

This production took around two years to stage, with Caroline initially getting together with the designers to create the framework. There are large forces involved in this particular opera – a large orchestra and chorus who have a huge amount to do, with a dozen different costume changes," she said.

William Dazeley – who sang Wintergreen the last time the opera was seen in 1998 – returns to the main role.

The original Broadway production opened in 1931 and ran for 441 performances, receiving critical and box office success.

"It was staged in the wake of the Wall Street crash of 1929 and some of the lines are very apt to today’s circumstances," stated Caroline.

"For instance, there’s a line about the stock market that prompts a round of applause from British audiences. It also has an optimistic feel about it that people probably needed then just like they do now."

Caroline will visit Manchester once more next week from her London home to watch The Lowry show, but she is no stranger to the city. She writes regularly for TV and radio, particularly thrillers for Radio 4 produced from Manchester.

Now, though, she is busy on the sequel for Of Thee I Sing – the UK premiere of Let ‘Em Eat Cake for which Opera North will begin rehearsals in December for touring in January.

"This is a far darker production but using the same characters – it’s about revolution and they paint the White House blue," said Caroline.

"But, if people like the current production – and they certainly seem to – they will definitely enjoy the next one."

Opera North presents Tosca on Tuesday & Friday, I Capuleti e i Montecchi on Wednesday & Saturday and Of Thee I Sing on Thursday. For tickets ring 0870 787 5793 or visit www.thelowry.com.