Opera North have triumphed again with this innovative staging of Mozart's last opera. At last they have made the opera understandable with this thrilling production. I confess that not speaking German I have never managed to understand before what was going on, though in my defence it is a very complex story. This production is in English, but better than that it is more contemporary English, so the jokes come off in an audience appealing way. There is of course a precedent for this because The Magic Flute was originally in German instead of the Italian preferred in Court circles, so the 'lower classes' could also understand the humour.

The music is of course sublime and the voices of singers chosen for the production are all excellent. I particularly enjoyed that of Charne Rochford as the Priest, his is an easy voice to listen to and his stage presence marks him out for greater things.

Norika Urata is a superb Pamina and brings out the feistiness of her character. Andrew Clarke as Monostatos is a beguiling villain who sets pulses racing. Roderick Williams makes a hilarious Papageno and his acting is first rate, which makes the character come to life. Ed Lyon gives Tamino a foppish charm and the three ladies of the night are well sung and very funny. Penelope Randall-Davis as the Queen of the night is hampered by a weird costume, but her voice is breathtaking, and although the voice of bass Chester Patton as Sarastro is extremely good, on the night I saw the production his acting was rather less so and he seemed rather uneasy in the role. The children are brilliant both in their roles and in their singing.

The set design is minimalist but outstanding which is enhanced by innovative lighting techniques. The costumes ,apart from one are creative and comical at times, the scene with the animals brought the house down.

This is a fabulous production, which makes Mozart's masterpiece so accessible with so much to take in I would willingly see it again to get even deeper into the experience. Thank you Opera North for bringing it to life for us.

Magic Flute is touring with the fantastic Daniel Slater's production of Opera North Donizetti's Elixir of Love. (See my last review of Elixir of Love from 2000. The names may have changed but the production should not have done) Get your skates on before Saturday and get down to either of them before Saturday. Next stop the Theatre Royal Newcastle