Benjamin Britten’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in South Africa

Photo: Courtesy of the theatre company

Isango Ensemble, the South African opera company, which delighted Boston audiences in 2014 with their lively production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, recently returned to the city. Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream was one of two operas – Carmen, the other – that they brought to ArtsEmerson’s Cutler Majestic Theatre. The performers, who hail from South Africa’s townships around Cape Town, perform classical operas that have been reconceived and reculturated. Although all the performers are Black, one of the principal goals of the company is to build a diverse audience representative of a unified, but multi-cultural South Africa. Therefore, since most libretti are written in European languages, the operas are translated into South African tongues with English predominating. Unfortunately, the multiple languages and accented English can make it hard to follow the show. Supertitles would help greatly.

Isango’s ability to transpose Western operas into a South African style has brought them international fame through their tours. Their singers are classically trained; the orchestra is composed of African percussive instruments, mainly drums and marimbas; choreography relies on African dance. Following Britten’s lead, Isango made further cuts to Shakespeare’s storyline.

The spare set, a long, raked platform successfully conveys the forest. Musicians play in recessed areas on both sides of the stage. Beautiful lighting accentuates the play’s mystery and simple, meaningful props aid the story telling. Brooms, for example, are effectively used as magic tools in several dances.

As the company’s name suggests, Isango is truly an ensemble. Musicians take the stage from time to time to sing and dance, while singers frequently play in the orchestra. There are no stars in their productions. The program lists the performers’ names, but not their roles. While the revamping of the opera does not work consistently, the performers bring an excitement and joy to the audience, not always found at the opera.

ArtsEmerson and South African Tourism present Isango Ensemble in Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Adapted and directed by Mark Dornford-May

Music Directors …… Pauline Malefane and Mandisi Dyantis

Choreography ……… Lungelo Ngamlana

Lighting …………… Chloe Kenward

A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs until November 22.