☆★★★★ The Mozart Question
Anyone
familiar with Highgate's Upstairs at the Gatehouse will be more accustomed to
the sound of tap dancing emanating from the theatre, rather than the classical
sounds of a virtuoso violinist.
As part of
the Camden Fringe, Simon Reade's adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's book, The
Mozart Question is being performed as a one-woman show by actor-musician Olivia
Wormald.
Featuring a
fashionable gender-swap lead from Paolo to Paola, The Mozart Question tells the
story of Poala Levi, a world-famous violinist who is about to play a concert.
But she has always refused to play Mozart and declined to explain why.
However, after the death of her father, she tells the story of how she became a
violinist under the guidance of Benjamin Horowitz - an old man she met playing
on a bridge in Venice. As the story unfolds, we become aware that Paola's
parents and Horowitz knew each other and had met, and indeed played together in
a concentration camp orchestra.
Interestingly,
Olivia Wormald performs with a violin which is likely itself to be a holocaust
survivor. Made about 1910 and inscribed with a Star of David, the violin
provides a tangible connection to the events in the story.
As Paula
Levi, Wormald gives an insightful, moving, credible and intensely heartfelt
performance as she unpeels the layers of the narrative and cleverly represents
all the characters with sensitivity and honesty. She also plays the violin
delightfully and deftly weaves excerpts of Vivaldi, Mahler, Fiocco and
ultimately Mozart into the piece.
Lata Nobes
directs with concise precision and avoids sentimentality but expertly develops
the family dynamic and untold history as we ultimately discover the answer to
the Mozart question. All in all, this is an elegant jewel of a show – fascinating
to watch and gorgeous to listen to.
The Mozart Question
Based on the book by Michael Morpurgo
Adapted for stage by Simon Reade
Performed by Olivia Wormald
Director and Sound Designer Lata Nobes
Producer Lucia Cox
Illustrator Hannah Snaith
Assistant Producer Alistair Silcox
The Mozart Question played at Upstairs at the Gatehouse
as part of The Camden Fringe 2019 13-18 August 2019
Based on the book by Michael Morpurgo
Adapted for stage by Simon Reade
Performed by Olivia Wormald
Director and Sound Designer Lata Nobes
Producer Lucia Cox
Illustrator Hannah Snaith
Assistant Producer Alistair Silcox
The Mozart Question played at Upstairs at the Gatehouse
as part of The Camden Fringe 2019 13-18 August 2019
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