As a first year student in his first major role in an opera, there are few stranger ways to be introduced to the medium than by performing in The Magic Flute. The story follows Tamino, a modern day prince on his way to war who is traumatised by the horrors he experiences, and falls into a psychedelic delusion where he must overcome bizarre and fantastic obstacles to rescue the beautiful Pamina, in a world where nothing is what it seems.

My character is a high ranking official in a dictatorial government in this strange land, and it is my job to instruct and guide Tamino and his friends in their quest, however, often this “advice” serves only to disconcert the protagonists further.  Playing the role of an unshakable and aloof observer has been a great opportunity as it gives considerable scope to explore the different manners in which such a character can be portrayed, and seeing how director Flips Green has developed not only mine but all the personalities in the show, it is definitely shaping up to be an outstanding performance when it is realized on July 1st.