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Feedback (2004-2002)
Read feedback for the following shows here.
All In The Mind (2004)
Game Over (2003)
Stormlight (2002)
For other shows, go to the main Feedback page.
What an ambitious project! It was really encouraging to see so many young people clearly enjoying themselves. It makes our efforts seem very small compared with the work you are doing.
Rodney Slatford, Yorke Trust
Congratulations to all of you, standards and enthusiasm remain as high as ever.
Francis Shaw, composer
Was really impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment of the children, congratulations to Philip.
Clement Ishmael, composer and conductor
The amazing energy, vitality and enthusiasm of all concerned enabled W11 Opera to triumph yet again. Plenty of adults would have been defeated by such tricky music, but the deep well of musicianship that your precious outfit has nurtured has meant that the children were able to take the difficult score in their stride and deliver a fabulous evening... Visually All in the Mind was stunning... and altogether the effect of the piece on me was of delight and exhilaration. So once again, many thanks for all that hard work which is appreciated by so many of us year after year.
Dr Robert Asher, London W6
William and I were completely won over by the ethos of the company which came across; the impressive musical and theatrical standards of the performance and the achievement in staging such a challenging work was a great credit to all the young people -- and adults -- involved.
Bernard Hughes, composer
You were right when you said the opera was amazingly ambitious! Very difficult music, but what an experience for those kids to get to perform something like that. The Earthling chorus was wonderful, as was Nic, and there were some superb moments in it. A beautiful production and marvellous orchestration. Quite fascinating to see...
Starr Shippee
I had to write to say how much we enjoyed the opera -- INCREDIBLE. So many kids involved, so professional, wonderful to look at, sets amazing and costumes... music -- um, not quite sure, but the story and sentiments were really fun. What a lot of work! But how amazingly positive, so worthwhile. WELL DONE.
Melanie Minnitt, London SW19
Wasn't last night amazing!! I felt hugely encouraged and especially by several friends who came to see it who were all very impressed -- one who especially praised the Brain for his excellent voice.
Catherine Faulks, parent
We all thought the performances were wonderful, a real triumph!
Helen Ellis, mother
We were so impressed by the opera. One of the best sung, best acted etc we have seen for years. Many congratulations, we really enjoyed it.
Christopher and Valentine Thornhill, London W10
Thank you once again for making another year of W11 opera possible. I know you must go through a Dark Night of the Soul (probably late November) every year but believe me it really IS worth it. Even for those children who are lucky enough to go on to schools with state of the art theatres and drama departments, it will be something they remember with pleasure for the rest of their lives... What a wonderful gift to give so many children!
Sarah Johnson, mother
What the cast said:
This is my second year of W11... It was so much fun that I wanted to come again... I think this is a great opportunity to meet new people and sing your heart out. It is not all singing though. There is acting and dancing involved and you never have to be shy because everyone is doing it as well.
Alexandra Ford, age 13
W11 has been fantastic for me because I love singing and it's helped me make lots of new friends. Each year I enjoy it more.
Flo Hare, age 11
W11 is always so much fun! This is my third year and I am sure it will be as good as before! It gets more modern every year!
Erin Ford, age 12
W11 is a great idea for children who like singing. I like taking part because I love singing. The best thing about it is the costumes and the singing.
Georgia Herman, age 10
W11 Opera is an unmissable experience and to all those youngsters out there, definitely come next year and give it a go because it sure is worth it!
Charles Joseph, age 11
I can't say anything to anyone in W11 Opera because they are all having the time of their lives, but I can say something to all those other children out there who want to have a lot of fun on Monday nights! W11 is one of the most exciting things that has ever happened to me so if you know what's good for you….join!!!
Elizabeth Donaldson, age 12
I love being in W11 Opera! Though my first year I am always full of joy on every rehearsal! I so happy I joined the opera and even more happy I passed the audition! It's great fun! Everyone has just got to do it!
Eliza Joseph, age 9
The story is really exciting. W11 Opera is the best thing I have ever taken part in. The best part is performing in the Britten Theatre!
Federica Picceri, age 10
It was wonderful to see so much energy being harnessed so effectively, with really superlative performances the children absolutely took centre stage. The words were hilarious, the music lively, the direction impeccable, and altogether, you all did an absolutely magnificent job. Also really nice to see it in a really good theatre……
Bill Bankes-Jones Director, Tete-a-Tete Opera
Wow! What a performance. The singing was at worst fine and at best really thrilling and we heard every word from start to finish. The drama was so much more in focus at the theatre and it packed quite a powerful punch. Brilliant!
Ed Lambert, composer
It really was most enjoyable, and I was very impressed by the high standards achieved by the girls and boys involved.
Philip Culling, Head of Music Godolphin and Latymer School
I have just seen Game Over as my friend Eleonora was in the performance. I thought it was amazingly fantastically brilliant and definitely want to audition for next year's opera. I have to admit even my annoying little brother -- who was screaming and shouting about how he didn't want to see an opera -- really loved it.
Imogen Wilson aged 9
Game Over was truly brilliant and the finale definitely brought tears to my eyes; the singing was just wonderful. It's just not the same from the vestry or the wings!! Anyway, once again W11 has been a great experience that both Katy and I have truly enjoyed. Hard work, but so worth it!
Susie Maier, parent
I thought Game Over was very good. Challenging music but exciting and terrific pace.
Fiona Greenwood, Avondale Trust
And thank you for an introduction to such an ambitious exciting and challenging production. I was terribly impressed with the production and overwhelmed by the structured organisation; you are utterly brilliant. Our house is still ringing loudly with the music and the smell of the greasepaint remains.
Arabella Chandos, Director, Old Master Paintings department, Sotheby's
I have always enjoyed W11 Opera & have continued to come every year even though my daughter has left home! This is to say that it is much more than just a children's event. It is a great pleasure to have watched this occasion develop over the years, with the very high standard off the original scripts & the marvellous colourful productions with the most imaginative costumes and sets. It is proof that the combined skills of children & adults can produce an evening of entertainment worthy of a West End production…It is particularly important that the children from all backgrounds and schools and musical ability are encouraged in this way -- so many schools have limited resources for those with musical talent.
Anna Hinshelwood
It's always a pleasure to be involved in projects that have a value beyond 'just' putting on a great show. W11 puts on a great show and is a fantastic and unique opportunity for everyone involved to do something very special.
Stephen Ley, Lighting Designer, Game Over
Thank you so much for such an enjoyable afternoon on Saturday I was bowled over by the performance- I thought it was tremendous and great fun.
Lizzie Hurst
THANK YOU a million times for W11 Opera this year. The experience has been incredible for Edith -- and also for the whole family. I actually woke up this morning thinking, "I know what my life's ambition is now -- to become a group mother!" How often does that happen? Thank you again for letting us share in this wonderful achievement.
Sarah Johnson, mother
What a great show! Congratulations on another fantastic year!
Jane Wintherbotham, parent
Well done to you all, it was a privilege to be involved.
Karin McDanell, mother
I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all your tremendous work of the past few months -- your enthusiasm and commitment are quite awesome.I am sure you must be on your knees now. Edmund and I have loved our involvement with W11 and (rather scarily!) he's set on returning next year! Thank you for making us new-bugs feel so welcome.
Viv Haxby, mother
Triumphant all round. Many congratulations.
Rachel Johnson , parent
I thoroughly enjoyed “Stormlight” and felt privileged to have been part of the audience. Every aspect of the production was brilliant. The imaginative set, evocative music, talented drama and singing collectively made the show one that will stay in my memory for a long time.
Marissa Thornton-Wood
Well done for once again breaking new ground with the W11 Opera -- it was terrific……long may it continue.
Meriel Tegner, W11
I thought it was an excellent production, most interesting music and the children very impressive. I thoroughly enjoyed the performance.
Elizabeth Diggory, High Mistress, St. Paul's Girls' School
I thought Stormlight was an absolute triumph; I don't think my attention flagged for a minute. To get such all-round quality for such a modest ticket price was a real bargain. The playing was spot-on, the scenery beautifully done and the singers/actors gave committed and in many cases powerful performances. As I've commented before, the proportion of audible words was higher than is usual at ENO. I like the music and thought it very effective. I also thought it cleverly done….This was quite brave of W11 Opera………There's no doubt it was hugely rewarding to be in the audience and thanks again for demonstrating your versatility and coming up with such an excellent show.
Dr. Robert Asher, W6
We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and thought it was really splendid. David Knott came up with a very fine score for you, brilliantly written, and it was good to see the Godolphin girls having such a fantastic experience taking part in this production.
John Escott, Head of Music, Godolphin and Latymer School
To a grandmother's ears “more modern, innovative” is an alarming signal for a new opera to be performed by 18-8 year olds. In the event the music was spine-tingling, the set, as always, marvellous and the ghosts, real people, deathly white, slow moving and sombre, were chilling. I could not have believed that I was so spellbound by young people, singing difficult music, as to get pins and needles... A total triumph.
Gillian Kisch, W8
I felt I must write and congratulate you and the production team for, what I consider to be, one of the best W 11 operas to date. Having read the synopsis, from the very start the composition evoked the spirit of the piece. The singing was superb... The duet midway through was absolutely stunning -- both singing and composition -- and I was really moved by it and hoped for a reprise!
The simplicity of the set enabled the choreography to come shining though. The various tableaux were so effective and the discipline amongst the performers was unquestionably the best to date. The interpretation of the various elements by the different groups of children worked so well and the costumes were just right.
Finally, the lighting was so in tune with the work and I greatly appreciated its subtlety. So, for what it's worth, please pass on my congrats to the Director (in particular) and everyone!
Chris Sprague, W4
W11 pulled it off again... it was just great to watch….particular thanks must go to Stephen Ley for creating such a sense of desolation with that lighting. Three friends who came last night were astonished at the discipline of the large group of (mainly younger) Winds and Seas plus their obvious total involvement and enjoyment.
Wendy Callister, cast mother
Thank you for bringing W11 Opera to us all this year. We hugely enjoyed being part of such a great event! Lisa really enjoyed the taking part, singing meeting new friends and the challenge of it all and can't wait to do it again. It was a great experience for her.
Karin McDanell, cast mother
I thought the whole experience was invaluable to Leo who noticeably grew in self-esteem and confidence. It encouraged him to start singing lessons and enthused him to such a degree that we are already planning this year's audition piece!
Catherine Faulks, cast mother