’Tis Pity: An Operatic Fantasia on Selling the Skin and the Teeth
Anarchic Diva Meow Meow and opera’s naughty boy Kanen Breen draw us into a fantastical world of the Courtesan and the Showgirl in Victorian Opera’s ’Tis Pity: An Operatic Fantasia on Selling the Skin and the Teeth.
In this sumptuous song cycle about sex, sin and survival, Richard Mills summons the forces of Orchestra Victoria to bring alive an eclectic fusion of mambo, rhumba and the Charleston. Directed by Cameron Menzies.
*** NOTE: Full Price tickets are for a double pass. Members may reserve single passes if they wish.
Feedback/Comments
fantastic! Would go again!
LOVE, LOVE, LOOOOOOVED IT!!!!!
Just loved it-not what I expected but glad we went. Very entertaining.
Wanted to see Meow Meow for ages & finally I did! A great show-singing, dancing, costumes and the venue. All fab-thank you!!
A really energetic performance. Had me guessing what was going on! Great talent.
A bit crazy but interesting
Weird And wonderful! Such a good opportunity to see something so different. Great costumes and fabulous venue!
Not my cup of tea
A good attempt at an original idea
Very enjoyable. Loved the fun and theatre of the show.
Somewhat unusual and eccentric but still good entertainment
She makes it
Fun night out!
Singers excellent, Orchestra Victoria wonderful as always, vignettes did not quite gel for me but overall an enjoyable show.
Not up to the usual standards of this company. Amplification was poorly managed. However, it was worth a try and with more tightening of the content and production could still become a worthwhile show.
I have seen Meow Meow several times before, but was disappointed this time.
Often the voices were drowned out by the orchestra. The script seemed rushed and haphazard.
Both Meow Meow and Kanen Breen have marvelous voices, but the whole show did not gel with me.
Yes, Was a Pity!
plenty of energy
humorous
flowed well
short program
Meow Meow is always good fun and Vic Opera is a very good company. The show was therefore excellent
We enjoyed this performance and the venue. An interesting concept well presented and sung.
'Twas a bit of a pity. Have been to other Meow Meow's shows in the past and this one was just not to her normal standard. I wanted to love it but just couldn't. Disappointed.
Would rather see Meow Meow solo
Good show from some capable presenters
Great performance in a nice venue. Original songs that were pleasant to listen to.
Miaow Miaow as always was extraordinary, but the star of the show was nearly eclipsed by Kanen Breen who is an amazing talent. My only complaint was with the venue itself, the sound quality was poor and did not do the performers justice as they were often drowned out by the orchestra, but all in all a wonderful concept and performance.
Funny and easily accessible opera.
Twas pity it was all too much - esp the dancers!
Loved it! It was fun, easy on the eyes and ears and some very catchy tunes. Meow Meow and Kanen Green were excellent. However, too many things happening on stage detracted from full impact.
Very interesting and enjoyable!
Outstanding....Incredible composition and orchestration by Richard Mills, loved every moment!!! Great show all round...big congratulations to all!guys! Thank you!
Excellent singers and orchestra alone does not an outstanding show make. Tis a pity really that as a whole it seemed fragmented, the story could have been tighter, costume and set a little less makeshift and thrown together . Although entertaining enough, I was happy it went for only an hour.
Was such fun. What an amazing voice
Brilliant, again, thanks so much team.
I thoroughly enjoyed the production. Meow Meow and Kanen Breen gave outstanding performances.
The Victorian Opera were fantastic, as were Meow Meow and Kanen Breen (sp?) and the other dancers.... but the songs itself were not overly engaging except for the Syphilis Song which I thought was wonderful. The Elisabeth Murdoch Hall and the MRC is a fabulous performance space nonetheless and it was a great pleasure to have an evening out courtesy of On The House!!
A fabulous night out at a Magnificent venue! Loved the orchestra!
I can never get enough of Meow Meow!
Seen quite a few Victoria Opera productions but nothing quite like this! To say it was "different" would be an understatement! But it Was fun and professional and the music was great as were the leads Kanen Breen and Meow Meow (in particular).
beautiful music
Enjoyable, great atmosphere at the Melbourne Recital Centre. A few technical issues with words not matching some of the lyrics but who cares!?! True Diva with fabulous voice. Outstanding collaboration with Orchestra Victoria. Love the makeup on the male dancers. A warm night of music in Majical Melbourne.
Highly entertaining event, with some beautiful voices
An engaging production with tongue in cheek humour, thought and purpose. Excellent score to an accessible script well delivered by both orchestra, players, clever staging and lovely venue. No pontificating ruffles here! Tis a Pity has energy and a challenge well worth a nights adventure out!
Singing and dancing fantastic. Disappointing script, costume design and theatre design
Great fun - loved Meow Meow and Kanen Breen, the dancers, the lyrics, and the ethereal sounds from the ondes martenot, played by Jacob Abela. Congratulations to Richard Mills and Orchestra Victoria.
Fabulous ,entertaining opera. Great performances by Meow Meow and Kanen Breen and fabulous dancing too!
Stupendous,witty,creative with fantastic cast and orchestra. Well done!
Excellent orchestra and great vocals from both leads. The captions on overhead screens were very helpful. Would've liked to have seen more dancing (they did advertise Charlston etc.) and more raunchy acting in the style of Sarah O'Connor.
Love Meow Meow but not this time.
Outstanding performance by Meow Meow. I'm glad the lyrics were included on the two picture frames as part of the props so I could follow the old English poetry style singing about sex through the ages. Show went from 7.30 to 8.40.
Thank you! Great show
A light hearted journey on the theme of sex through the ages. It entertains.
Meow Meow was the show stopper
Great show!
Impressive performance, excellent music and location. Recommended for an entertaining evening.
Excellent performances, in particular from Meow Meow who is a very talented singer. It was such a pleasure to attend a show at such a beautiful venue.
Very amusing and entertaining show, beautifully performed by all. Stunning musicianship, sublime voices, fabulous venue, a delight to behold!
I liked the 2 screens at the back of the stage that re-enforced those witty words. The 3 dancers were also excellent. An interval would have been nice, for the audience members to catch their breath. This is such an excellent venue. Thanks to "On-the-house" for a treat.
Just delightful. Meow Meow is divine and hilarious, and the entire cast and orchestra were spellbinding. If you've never been an opera person this is a fabulous introduction.
Highly accessible operatic performance laying bare the ludicrous historical double standards applied to women. Fantastic performance with superb backing from the MSO and accomplished dance troupe. Meow Meow and Kanen Breen gave magnificent performances as comedic foils. Highly recommended.
outstanding performance!
Vivacious outstanding performance you will never forget.
Enjoyable Great voices and venue.
Great perfomances
Good fun entertainment. Loved the full orchestra being on stage. Excellent voices and very cast made this a very watchable performance.
Those that went could not speak highly enough of the experience, thank you so much on the house.
Uneven, ambitious, provocative, funny, thought provoking and highly entertaining, this is a performance that will rattle around in your mind, memory and unconsciousness for years to come. Sully
Confirmed that I hate opera. The audio should have ben set louder. They tried but failed dismally in my opinion.
Great voices, great venue, great performance!
Excellent show! What a wonderful experience!
Despite a few technical issues (lighting cues), an ambitious production with some beautiful music and great performances by Meow Meow and Kanen Breen. Thank you On-The-House.org!
Interesting
Accessible operatic in a lovely venue. Almost all of it was in English and the vignettes were easy to follow. Fun theme for a couple looking for a Valentines activity.
Great Venue, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Interesting concept.
'Tis Pity? Yes, 'twas a pity, as Victorian Opera used precious resources, the State Orchestra, dancers and some OK singing & music to produce this miked cabaret piece which failed to engage most of the audience. I am an opera fan(atic. An Opera Company should be promoting good quality, well supported voice - preferably not with microphones. Disappointed.