Although I saw many wonderful shows and operas in the year, my favourite show of the year was THE ELIXIR OF LOVE at the Opera House.

The production with its Australian setting at the start of WWI, was just hilarious. This production dates from 2001, but is still fabulous and well worth reviving.

I loved the use of corrugated iron to build the sets, even the horses and the shepherd’s dog, who appeared to be a corrugated iron kelpie!

The whole cast gave this comic opera the true comic touch it requires, but also gave us some wonderful singing, especially from the shepherd (Aldo Di Toro) and his love (Rachel Durkin), not forgetting Conal Coad as the snake oil salesman.

The costumes were also superb, with imaginative hand-painted dresses and waistcoats.

I hope they represent this production soon, as I would love to see it again.