Fiona McArdle, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Joshua van Konkelenberg and Emma Gregan Take Flight at Her Majesty's Theatre
On Thursday 8–Saturday 10 May, State Opera South Australia gave the first Australian performance since 2006 of Jonathan Dove's acclaimed opera Flight at Her Majesty's Theatre, directed by Stephen Barlow. The superb cast included Elder Conservatorium PhD candidate Fiona McArdle as Minkswoman and Head of Classical Voice Teddy Tahu Rhodes as Immigration Officer, accompanied by musicians from the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Charlotte Corderoy), including our Head of Brass Dr Emma Gregan (horn) and Elder Conservatorium lecturer Dr Joshua van Konkelenberg on celeste. The production received wonderful reviews in Glam Adelaide, Limelight, InDaily, ArtsHub, The Advertiser, The Barefoot Review, Stage Whispers, British Theatre Guide, Bachtrack, FIFTY+SA, Australian Arts Review and BroadwayWorld. Bravo and congratulations to all involved!
'As a married couple about to embark on a new life in Minsk, Jeremy Tatchel and Fiona McArdle are brilliant. Their uptempo number in the first act about moving to Minsk is a real highlight of Flight. Both have exceptional stage presence and voices to match. Rounding out the cast as Immigration Officer is Teddy Tahu Rhodes. With only a brief appearance in the first act, hanging out till mid act three to hear this rich and warming bass-baritone is certainly worth it.'
– Ben Stefanoff, Glam Adelaide
'... particular mention must be made of Fiona McArdle whose Minskwoman role runs the emotional and vocal gamut, and Teddy Tahu Rhodes whose Immigration Officer, another brooding presence, has gravity and depth.'
– Peter Burdon, ArtsHub
'Earning particular praise is Joshua van Konkelenberg on celeste; Dove makes distinctive use of that instrument, and it sounds special.'
– Graham Strahle, InReview
'Jeremy Tatchell has a smaller role as the Diplomat, but he sings and acts it fabulously. His tessitura is a perfect fit for Dove's music. Fiona McArdle plays his pregnant wife, and she is superb. This is possibly the best thing that McArdle has done. Like Tatchell, the music fits her voice like a stylish glove, and her acting is first rate. And then there is Teddy Tahu Rhodes, who plays The Immigration Officer. His impressive bass baritone is perfect, and his character demands respect. As Voeshege does for The Controller, Rhodes also gives The Immigration Officer a wide streak of overt humanity...'
– Kym Clayton, The Barefoot Review
'Fiona McArdle is outstanding as the diplomat's wife, fearful of motherhood and Minsk, and her lament "whose bag is this?" questioning her role in life is intensely personal and moving.'
– Colin Davison, British Theatre Guide
