Pass the Spoon Review – David Shrigley presents a shocking kitchen opera | Opera

SThink of Amy J. Payne, the daring mezzo-soprano who stars in Opera North’s “Pass the Spoon.” Divas, of course, are accustomed to leaping from castle walls or being swept away in avalanches, but rarely is a singer required to be swallowed whole by a monstrous gasp. Payne plays June Spoon, the brash host of a TV cooking show, and whether or not she’s “passed over,” or will, unfortunately, turn into a poo, is an eleventh-hour dilemma in this frankly crazy show.

The idea was conceived (excuse the pun) in 2008 when Irish composer David Fennessy and director Nicholas Boon approached David Shrigley, the visual artist famous for his distinctive, funny line drawings and witty commentary. Described as “a kind of opera”, it premiered on Glasgow Trams in 2011.

Shrigley views life in its mundane cruelty and responds with acerbic wit and deadpan irreverence. At the opera, June and her unlucky assistant, Philip Fork, plan to snack on Mr. Gragnoles, who is known to eat children. However, the real heroes are the food items: a trio of terrified tubers, a depressed egg, and a banana convinced of its superiority as an exotic fruit compared to only root vegetables. The cast is completed by a psychotic butcher and a dancing turd.

Fennessy’s score, played by an 11-person onstage chamber orchestra dressed as chefs, attracted attention throughout. Rooted in 20th-century modernism – at its most terrifying, Birtwistle’s Punch and Judy came to mind – he was not averse to throwing in a tune here and there or even stealing a Für Elise. Kinetic rhythms, caustic strings and hissing knives played their part, as did wah-wah trombones, chamber organ, harp and a kitchen drawer full of percussion. Opera North’s music director, Gary Walker, kept things tight, which was especially important given that the orchestra was often required to sing and shout.

The Bek Palmer set, complete with a bright red table, nightstand and refrigerator, complements the playful outfits designed by Shrigley in his signature style. With their small eyes and trembling slits of mouths, the distressed vegetables were surprisingly moving amidst the general atmosphere of madness. The silent Mr. Gragnoles, a cross between a swaying ogre and a voracious businessman, was a hoot. The resourceful Bone moved his pieces around the board with remarkable efficiency.

Payne worked tirelessly as Spoon, pumping up the decibels every time she uttered the word “soup.” She was paired well with Xavier Heatherington, who easily slid in and out of head voice as the whiny Thorn. Mark Nathan was a reliable banana and Peter Van Hale was a strangely annoying butcher. However, what stole the show was Fraser Scott playing Mr. Egg and the cheerful Toilet.