Comrie home proves a stunning location for Amahl performance

Jan 22 2010 by Lynn Duke, Strathearn Herald

THE front room of a house in Comrie was the unusual setting for a mini-opera recently.

The popular Christmas classic ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’ played to a 40-strong audience at each of its two performances.

Staging the intimate concert was the idea of former music teacher Jean Kidd. Initially she thought it would be a small production with just the two main characters and a few others.

However, word spread andvolunteers soon came forward to fill all the other parts and to assist with directing, dancing, wardrobe, staging and tickets. It was not long before Jean had a cast of 14 rehearsing throughout the summer.

Chairs were borrowed from the community centre and Jean’s front room was transformed into a mini-theatre for the two night run.

The opera was written by Gian Carlo Menotti and inspired by the painting ‘The Adoration of the Magi’ by Hieronymus Bosch.

Amahl (played by Edward Fraser) is a crippled boy who, although he has a kind heart, is fond of telling tall tales. So when he tells his mother there is an amazing star outside their house she does not believe him.

Enter three splendidly dressed kings, played by David Scott-Angell, John Davidson and Angus McLellan. They tell Amahl and his mother that they are on a long journey to give gifts to a special child. Amahl fetches all the neighbours (Stuart Cameron, Mary McGillivray, Karen McLellan, Ann and Ross Munro, Sharon Phillips, Erin Bourelle and Emma Robertson) so that the kings may be fed and entertained properly.

Despite many twists and turns and Amahl’s mother causing problems, all works out well for the young boy.

Afterwards Jean, who is keen to support young singers and used to train children for Scottish Opera, praised Crieff High School pupils Edward Fraser and Ashlyn Bourelle, who played the main characters, which Jean says are huge parts for two young people.

“The pair were outstanding,” she said. “’Amahl and the Night Visitors’ is a mixture of pathos and humour, which they got across very well.

“The spirit in Comrie is really terrific. The whole preparation of the piece exemplified the spirit that exists here. People came forward to help and willingly gave their time when they found out about it.

“I had always thought that the part of the mother would be good for Ashlyn, who is a tremendous singer and actor, and was pleased when Edward, who is excellent as well, said he would play Amahl.”

Proceeds from the performances are being donated to the Multiple Sclerosis Society and St Fillans Music Circle Young Musicians Fund.