The much-loved Phyllida Lloyd production of Puccini's La bohème returns to the stage with Opera North under Revival Director James Hurley.

In freezing Paris we meet penniless poet Rodolfo. One night, his neighbour, the seamstress Mimì, knocks on the door of his garret, looking to relight her extinguished candle. In true romantic fashion, their hands brush in the dark, and flames ensue – though possibly not the type Mimì initially had in mind.

Cue the unforgettable song: Che gelida manina (Your tiny hand is frozen).

"Tell me about yourself," says Rodolfo. Mimì replies, describing her simple life embroidering silk flowers: Sì, mi chiamano Mimì (They call me Mimì).

And love is found in an instant.

So far, so good, but it's the music of Puccini that lifts this romantic tale to its searingly beautiful heights. I've heard it said that Puccini 'weaponises the human voice'; that 'sopranos don’t just sing—they bleed high notes.'. And all too tragically we see full expression of the maestro's talents as poor Mimì lies on the floor of Rodolfo's garret dying of consumption, and yet able to sing a beautiful aria.

Such a beautiful narrative, packed with the hopes and aspirations of young artistic Parisians, deserves a cast capable of showing the emotional heart of the piece: the vivacity, the silliness, and the tragedy. And Opera North have discovered an A-team here.

With a small but welcome injection of comedy into this production (no doubt at the hands of revival director James Hurley), the cast have achieved huge credibility. There is a beautiful chemistry between Mimì (Olivia Boen) and Rudulofo (Anthony Ciaramitaro) and their gloriously silly/annoying friends Marcello (Yuriy Yurchuk), Musetta (the irrepressible Elin Pritchard), Schaunard (Seán Boylan) and Colline (Han Kim). That's a lot of talent on the stage at the same time.

Add to this the wonderfully grungy set from the original Phyllida Lloyd production and you can almost smell the atmosphere of impoverished Parisian Bohemians.

Director Phyllida Lloyd
Revival Director James Hurley
Set & Costume Designer Anthony Ward
Lighting Designer Rick Fisher
Revival Lighting Designer Richard Moore
Choreographer Quinny Sacks
Revival Choreographer Maxine Braham.

Conductor Garry Walker stirs great emotion from the orchestra of Opera North, and the chorus lend their considerable vocal talents to pile on the passion to this greatly admired production.



Puccini's La bohème is a wonderful love story guaranteed to bring a lump to the throat, no matter how many times you've seen it, and Opera North, and particularly this excellent cast, reveal it in all its glory.

Opera North’s La bohème continues at Leeds Grand Theatre, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Lowry, Salford Quays and Theatre Royal, Nottingham until 22nd November. Full details at operanorth.co.uk.