Mark Morris: L'Allegro, il Penseroso et il Moderato, June 1997

The Mark Morris Dance Group gave six performances of the famous Handel/Milton/Morris 'L'Allegro, il Penseroso et il Moderato' at the Coliseum. It was presented as part of English National Opera's season, so the audiences were a mix of opera and dance goers - producing an interesting range of comments in the intervals, ranging from 'Of course I don't know anything about dance' to 'I do wish they'd stop singing - I though it was going to be real music!' Between them the theatre was completely sold out, with long queues for returns by the end of the run.

Opinions on this site, it has to be said, ranged from strong dislike through disappointment to passionate enjoyment. Judging from the ovations both nights I went, and what I've seen so far of the critics' opinions, I think on this occasion the more positive views prevail. For myself, I found it irresistible - by turns exhilarating, moving, beautiful and funny, in total it's a life-enhancing piece that gave me one of my happiest ever evenings in the theatre. No-one today except Morris and Paul Taylor can produce such results through perfect simplicity.

It's helped by the lovely music - Morris famously is particularly attracted to this period. There was a starry line-up of singers, of whom my favourites were the rapidly rising tenor Ian Bostridge, and the counter tenor Michael Chance - a specially appropriate choice as I've long thought that if Mark Morris were a singer, he'd be Michael Chance. The setting was almost entirely in plain colours, enhanced by gauzes and some wonderful lighting - if you've only seen 'L'Allegro' on television you get no idea of how beautiful it looks.

They can't come back soon enough for me.

Jane Simpson

http://www.ballet.co.uk/old/reviews_short_2.htm