THREE STARS

There are many ways of slicing and dicing Bizet’s opera Carmen – Welsh National Opera, for instance, has staged three entirely different productions within living memory. Their current version, which dates from 1997 and is revived at the New Theatre this week, is a queer fish indeed. Set by designer Christian Fenouillat in a huge, dingy, three-sided box, there is no sign of southern Spanish heat or sunlight. Lighting is at a BBC4 Saturday night Scandi-drama level of dimness. Then, right at the last minute as tragedy strikes, the whole production suddenly comes alive in a blaze of vivid colour.

It’s entirely up to the cast and orchestra to bring the show to life, therefore – they get little help from their surroundings. In Oxford, the title role is taken by American mezzo Kirstin Chávez. Slithering out of the crowd of fighting cigarette factory girls – there is no explosive first entrance here – she flicks her hair and wiggles a thigh as she begins her seduction of Don José. There’s a smile on her face as she begins a generally strong vocal performance. Gwyn Hughes Jones is a soulful José – his delivery of “I kept your flower with me in prison” is a highlight of the evening – but this José is not a man who radiates much sexual chemistry. Similarly, Kostas Smoriginas is without the usual macho swagger exhibited by bullfighter Escamillo. Meanwhile, Jessica Muirhead gives a memorable performance as Micaëla – sounding bashful at first, but becoming a forceful character as events unfold.

But if things look visually gloomy on stage, there’s always highly energetic conductor James Southall to watch. A WNO repetiteur since 2008, he plainly revels in every second of Bizet’s score, and draws some magic detailing from the, as always, highly responsive WNO orchestra.

Carmen will be given again tonight. WNO's autumn visit continues on Friday with Rossini's Moses in Egypt and on Saturday with the same composer's William Tell.

Tickets: 0844 871 3020 or www.atgtickets.com/oxford