reviews, news & interviews

The Seckerson Tapes: Director Rufus Norris

Theatre director discusses his radical new ENO production of Don Giovanni

by edward.seckersonThursday, 4 November 2010

Rufus Norris: A reforming opera sceptic

In 2001 Rufus Norris cleaned up on the awards front with his stunning production of Festen, the David Eldridge adaptation of Thomas Vinterberg's disturbing film which started life at the Almeida Theatre. But it was his grimly ironic staging of Kander and Ebb's Cabaret that I would put among the half-dozen or so best productions of a musical that I have ever seen. Now comes an even bigger leap - a hell of a leap (pun intended) - with his major operatic debut at the English National Opera: Mozart's Don Giovanni.

In this wide-ranging audio podcast Norris discusses how much of a shock to the system that has been, how music in all its guises fuels his theatre and film work, and how easy it is to misuse. Right now Norris is a reforming opera sceptic - and on the basis of this candid conversation is likely to deliver a Don Giovanni like no other.

Listen to this episode

Don Giovanni at the Coliseum until 3 December
Find out what else is on at the ENO

Support the future of arts journalism

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thanks so much for choosing genuinely independent arts journalism theartsdesk’s mission has never been more important – in an age of relentless algorithmic recommendation, sponsored content and unreliable AI, the expertise and discernment of individual critics deeply embedded in their specialist areas is absolutely vital.

If you want more of that in your life, why not subscribe now?

If you do this before the 31st August, you’ll be able to keep at this “founders rate” for life: your subs will never increase! You can choose to subscribe annually for just £40 simply click here
or monthly for £5 per month simply click here.

Not ready to subscribe?

If you want to support with a little extra or aren’t ready to subscribe just yet, there’s also the option to give direct to our crowdfunder to support our imminent redesign and exciting expansion with new features and collaborations Simply contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d.

However you choose to be involved, you can proudly say that you are picking the right side in the battle for truth and humanity in the modern information landscape. And we will be very glad to have you on board!