Opera Anywhere’s festive double bill, directed by Mike Woodward and Amy Standish, was a heart-warming affair, with two pieces that emphasised the Christian values of generosity and hope. Amahl and the Night Visitors has been in the company’s repertoire for a while now, yet this year’s offering was as fresh and sparkling as ever. Helen Semple sang touchingly and expressively as Amahl’s widowed, poverty-stricken mother, engaging the audience’s sympathy as her desperation to provide for her child leads her to steal.

Mike Woodward brought humour to the piece with his comic portrayal of the deaf king Kaspar (pictured), while Nick Gee impressed, as always, in his customary role of Melchior. The revelation of the evening, though, was young Bethan Rose, who sang the role of Amahl with great sweetness, clarity and conviction. This was Bethan’s first major role for Opera Anywhere, and was a stunning debut.

The Selfish Giant, written by Opera Festa director Rebecca Moseley-Morgan and set to a lively, captivating score by local music teacher Debbie Rose, is the story of a bad-tempered giant who refuses to let the local children play in his garden. But when spring comes and his garden is still blanketed in snow and frost, he lets the children back in, and finds the sunshine returns.

First performed two years ago, this revival is, if anything, even livelier than before, with some strong performances from the children and the incorporation of some dreamy ballet sequences in the winter scene (choreographed by Sarah Stead of Expression Dance). Nick Gee was in commanding form as the giant, while Vanessa Woodward was regal as Snow, Mike Woodward full of fun as Frost, and there were promising performances from young Joe Harrison and Phoebe Rose as Hail and Joshua respectively. Oh, and I mustn’t forget the scene-stealing appearance of a new character – Flossie the dog, played by herself!

For information about future Opera Anywhere productions, visit www.OperaAnywhere.com.