The Catfish Conundrum

The Catfish Conundrum is a new operetta for five singers lasting 30 minutes. It will be performed by The Music Troupe, which is a not-for-profit organisation.

 

Passions are aroused by an Arts Council exhibition in London 1971 in which art becomes a matter of life and death - for the Catfish on display. The Press is indignant: ‘Animal cruelty!’ 'Is this art?' Spike Milligan, the Arts Council, the artist and, finally, President Reagan all have their say. And the Catfish? Could this be the only opera in which the heroine is killed - and eaten?

 

Performed as part of the Tete a Tete Opera Festival by The Music Troupe of London which recently made its debut in the Brighton Fringe and played in two London venues. 

 

 "...succeeds in holding the attention of the audience due to its fast pace, stylish production... and Lambert's strikingly lively score". (Planet Hugill)

 

"Lambert's music... is always strongly directional and full of emotion... This was a fabulous piece of theatre..."(Newbury Weekly News)

"Bite-sized opera strikes gold... an impressive debut..." (remotegoat.com) 

NOW! - opera costs money to put on. The cast of five and the two musicians must be paid something, if only to ensure they are not out of pocket. These are established or up-coming performers (not students). Good quality doesn't come cheap! We need somewhere to rehearse in Central London during the week before our performances. There are incidental costs of making props and costumes.... 

HOWEVER! - the performances are part of the Tete a Tete Opera Festival which provides the performance venues and takes care of publicity, etc., but in return they only pass on to the performers a small proportion of the box office income.

SO! - please support us! 

Donna Lennard (Catfish)

Mark Beesley (Lord Goodman)

Christopher Diffey (Spike Milligan)

Alistair Shelton-Smith (Newton Harrison)

Joanna Gamble (Ronald Reagan)

Music & text by Edward Lambert 

Directed by David Edwards

 

The Music Troupe of London wants to encourage singers and musicians of all ages and experience. We want to create new operas that show off beautiful voices and which exploit the wonderful depth and breadth that this art form holds for contemporary audiences.