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Feedback (2001-1998)
Read feedback for the following shows here.
Flying High (2001)
Deep Waters (2000)
Rip (1999)
Birthday (1998)
For other shows, go to the main Feedback page.
What the audience said:
I saw the W11 Opera production of 'Flying High' and was extremely impressed. The teenagers involved were enjoying themselves hugely, there was clearly a lot of real talent there, but what struck me yet more forcibly was the magnificent teamwork, superbly choreographed. The result was both entertaining and inspiring, and in the church was the palpable sense of a vibrant community event... The value as a nursery for young talent is obvious, perhaps even more vital is its role in nurturing the audiences of the future.
Emma Kirkby, OBE, Opera Singer
The quality of every aspect of the production was superb. I loved the huge amount of enthusiasm and involvement of the performers -- what a triumph!
Paul Harris, composer
What a brilliant night I've just had. I thought your opera was spot on, very funny, beautifully clear, wonderful costumes and had a number of budding actresses.
Guy Dagul, composer
The W11 Opera was a triumph. The cast's enjoyment was infectious.
Mrs. M Rudland, Headmistress, Godolphin & Latymer School
Huge congratulations on the W11 Opera achievement. It was a brilliant and professional performance, the young were all so engaged and alive, words extraordinarily clear, altogether a great of feeling of enjoyment and cohesion. Thirty years ago any idea of performing in the Royal Opera House we'd have all said 'You must be joking!'
Serena Hughes, Founder of W11 Opera.
I was tremendously impressed by all aspects of the production and thoroughly enjoyed my evening. It is obviously such a well run and worthwhile enterprise.
Nicholas M Allen, Headmaster, Arnold House School
You should be Flying High, it was such a great success! Congratulations to you for this achievement, we can't wait for the next one.
Karen Roux, London W11
Thomas is still singing Flying High songs just in case there is another performance lurking behind the door. He really loved the people he worked and sang with and it has been a highlight of his young life. His mates were proud of him and wished they had had those sort of opportunities or at least the confidence! He has now gone on to drama and has been picked for the main part. A lot of this is thanks to W11 Opera who have given him the necessary confidence in himself and the sense of fun there is in doing a production.
Karen Rogers, London W4
We both really enjoyed our involvement in W11 -- definitely one of the highlights of the year for us.
Morven and Catriona Hands, London W11
A great fun show that was really enjoyed by all.
Claire Birch, W11
CONGRATULATIONS on the sensational effort of W11 Opera. The words were far more audible than at ENO or the ROH when singing in English. And the total level of getting it together -- visually, musically, choreographically -- was quite unbelievable. Thanks for a great evening.
Dr Robert Asher, London W6
I reall thought Flying High was great -- so much energy all in one place.
Prof Genevra Richardson, London N1
What a show! I thought it was so jolly and full of zest, and every child was really going for it. It was memorable.
Marion Morris, Edenbridge, Kent
What the Cast said
I thought it was great. I had a wonderful time.
George Blacksell 12
It was fabulous. A great experience.
Ava Morgan 12
It was an amazing experience -- especially being able to perform in a fantastic place like the ROH and hear the opera from the main house going on in our dressing rooms. What I like most is the way you all get together and produce this amazing thing at the end, and it makes such a difference in boosting confidence. There is also the thrill of performing on stage and the real satisfaction when the audience understands what you're trying to communicate to them.
Alex Willis 16
It was fantastic. I love the opportunity to sing in a professional atmosphere. The acting, dancing, costumes, set are all so fabulous and I always enjoy myself. Doing W11 is far more important than my mocks!
Katy Maier 14
This is the most amazing experience I have ever had in theatre or music. It has really encouraged me to do opera in the future. I thought the entire set-up was incredibly professional. Thank you for accepting me as part of your wonderful team.
Rose Walker 16
What members of the audience said:
It really was the most prodigious success and a very memorable evening.
Councillor Richard Walker-Arnott, Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea
It was inspiring to see the scope of your ambition, energy and commitment.
Peter Ash, composer, London SW7
I was very impressed by -- well everything. An amazing feat, and the cast were so committed. Fabulous.
Michael Omer, composer, London N2
I am an opera lover and as such came to your performance little knowing what to expect. I feel compelled to write to you to give my appreciation and enthusiasm for all aspects -- music, singing, costumes, choreography, action -- of this extraordinary event. I found it as fully enjoyable as regular performances at Covent Garden or the National Opera.
B M Sorgo, London SW5
What a wonderful show it was -- again! The set was terrific and the costumes were quite, quite extraordinary.
Kathy Despitch, Hindhead Surrey
It was spectacular and the music and singing were so professional.
Claire Herford, Bristol
The Opera was a visual feast, and such exuberance. A wonderful sense of sheer fun.
Britta Lloyd, London W11
I was bowled over by the premiere of 'Deep Waters'.
Fiona Nevola, Oxford
We were dazzled by the fabulously inventive costumes and set.
Marian Morris, Edenbridge, Kent
All my family and friends couldn't get over the high standard of every aspect.
Wendy Callister, London W6
What members of the cast said:
It was the most fun I've ever had in my life
Emma Callister 15
I just can't wait for next year
Davina Clarke 14
I wish that W11 was all year round
Katy Maier 13
It's just brilliant
Caspar Le Fanu 14
It's amazing to feel the opera grow from one line of a tune to an entire performance, everyone working together in different parts -- fantastic
Lucy Page 16
The Opera was really outstanding, with so many happy faces throwing themselves into the performance with such enthusiasm. It was simply a joy to watch. Please don't let it change! W11 Opera as it is has a magic of its own... Well done!
Celia Elmhirst , W 11, audience
The boys were spellbound, with their eyes getting bigger and bigger in the dark, whilst we thought it was tremendously impressive. You gave so many people an enormously enjoyable experience and of course all the children must have learned so much in the course of all the rehearsals and final productions.
Kathy Despicht, Godalming, audience
I wanted to congratulate you on a beautiful and energetic production, clearly enjoyed by children and audience.
Britta Lloyd, W11, mother of cast member
Thank you for letting me be in Rip, I really loved it.
Eleanor Swithinbank aged 10, cast member
Congratulations on `Rip' which was extremely well done. The set deserves special mention.
Laurie Farr, W6, audience
W11 Opera was most impressive and Victoria greatly enjoyed being part of it.
Victoria Garwood, W8, mother of cast member
We enjoyed the Opera hugely and were immensely impressed by its professionalism. You really seem to have an ace production team: sets, lighting, costumes etc. all coming together to set the scene for the music... The chorus work was great -- what a nightmare it must have been marshalling them all on and off stage in thwe right sequence. I really do take my hat off to you.
Lesley Culley, Berkhamsted, audience
Thank you for everything in W11 Opera. We really enjoyed being in `Rip'.
Alanna & Gabriel Harris, age 14 & 10, cast members
The Opera was, as ever, tremendous. Melodie was totally bowled over.
The Hyslop family,W 11, family of cast member
Congratulations on “Rip”, which was extremely well done!.....The set deserves special mention. I know how hard you work on it... it's a huge task but WORTH IT!
Laurie Farr, W6 audience
It was a great success, obviously much enjoyed by all the children who acted and sang so well. It's so good to know and see that W11 Opera is flourishing.
Celia Elmhirst, W11
I did just want to say that I thought the production of 'Birthday' was fantastic and send all those involved our congratulations. For those of us who were 'in at the beginning' of the W11 Opera it is immensely gratifying to see it flourish and continue and one knows what immense pleasure it has given the countless children through the years.
Meriel and Ian Tegner, W11
What an amazing journey it has been to this point -- a change of show, a change of designer, but I hope you'll agree with me that it turned out pretty well in the end. I've had a wonderful time and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to work with so many great people.
Justin Young, Stage Director, Birthday
What a marvellous show. We all enjoyed it and were so impressed by it too. It moved at a great pace -- the whole thing was so zippy! I thought the sort of tableau of the Nativity was very moving. Sets and costumes were terribly good. A great success!
Marion Morris
I wanted to let you know how very much we all appreciate the huge amount of work and talent you put into the show. It all comes through -- the performances were a delight, not only because they were really very good but because there was a special feeling of sharing and support all around. Congratulations.
Britta Lloyd, W11
Thanks for yesterday's absolutely fabulous event. I now know the standard that one expects, but the Swithinbank family, who came as my guests (and who are not easily impressed), were deeply impressed. Chris, who is the keyboard played/accompanist for the English National Ballet was utterly amazed both at the quality of George Fenton's music and at the standard of the performance. I'm sure his daughters would love to audition when they are at the right age and Chris said he would be interested in getting involved musically if that were appropriate... Congratulations on the amazing result you achieved yesterday.
Dr. Robert Asher, W6