When you think West End Best Friend, you wouldn’t necessarily think opera, right? Well, perhaps you should! We were lucky enough to catch Ellen Kent and the Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv’s stunning production of Madame Butterfly at the Theatre Royal Brighton last night and goodness, we were surprised by the emotional punch it packed! 

We won’t spend much time discussing the story of the opera which definitely has no holding in today’s society and caused more than a few uncomfortable cringes from the whole audience but once you’re over the story of an American G.I. pursuing a fifteen-year-old geisha with deathly consequences, the performance itself is breathtakingly beautiful. 

The vocal power of the entire company has no issue filling the ears of the sold-out theatre and the stunning orchestra, led by Nicolae Dohotaru, astonish with their delicate yet almost overwhelmingly powerful performance of Puccini’s work. The staging, whilst set and unchanging, is intricately designed and works wonders to bring a slice of Japan to Brighton. 

Vitalii Liskovetskyi’s B.F. Pinkerton is a beautifully uncomfortable villain, though his stage presence leaves a little to be desired compared to the performance from Natalia Matveeva as Suzuki and Olexandr Forkushak’s Sharpless who both shine in their respective roles. The evening’s standout performance, however, belongs to the incomparable performance by Elena Dee in the title role. Her performance is perfect in all avenues, she truly embodies the role carrying it not only so beautifully through her powerful soprano but her physicality is stunning. 

The storyline is a little clunky in the first act, but the second act truly dazzles and highlights the incredible talent on stage. The touching Ukrainian tribute to the company’s own country, with a powerful rendition of its national anthem, is a beautifully touching sentiment to round off a wonderfully uplifting evening. 

**** Four stars 

Reviewed by: Natalie Pedro

Ellen Kent’s Madama Butterfly continues touring until 6 May, with further information here.