Opera and live theatre on big screen

L'Elisir d'Amore - sensational opera at its most rewarding

The Metropolitan Opera's spectacular and sensational production of Donizetti's comic opera kicks off the new opera season at Cinema Nouveau and will be screened for one week only from 17 November. It features the sensational Anna Netrebko as a headstrong woman who becomes caught in the rivalry between two admirers, with Matthew Polenzani as the naïve suitor and Mariusz Kwiecien as an arrogant military officer.

If there's one reason to see this fantastic production under direction of Bartlett Sher (who did the Broadway production of South Pacific), and conducted by Maurizio Benini, it is for the magical chemistry and powerful performances by the three lead singers. Add to this a marvellous performance by Ambrogio Maestri as the loveable quack and dispenser of the love potion, and you are in for three hours of total bliss.

L'Elisir d'Amore is screened for one week only from 17 November and runs for three hours, including great interviews with the director and cast.

The Last of the Haussmans - theatre at its best

Examining the fate of the revolutionary generation, this powerful human drama offers a funny, touching and at times savage portrait of a family full of longing that's losing its grip.

Julie Walters delivers a tour de force as Judy Haussman, a high-school drop-out who is anarchic, feisty but growing old and holds court in her dilapidated art deco house on the Devon coast. Rory Kinnear, who recently won the Evening Standard Award for Best Actor for his performance as Hamlet at the National Theatre and also stars in Skyfall, is absolutely sensational as a flamboyant gay man, with 21-year-old RADA student Tarom Egerton as the object of his affection, and Helen McCrory as his feisty sister.

The plays takes place after Judy Haussman has had an operation and is joined by her wayward offspring: sharp-eyed granddaughter Summer, local doctor Peter, and Daniel, a troubled teenager who makes use of the family's crumbling swimming pool. Together they share a few sweltering months in this chaotic world of all-day drinking, infatuations, long-held resentments, free love and failure.

It is one of those mesmerising plays that you will definitely see more than once.

The Last of the Haussmans is screened for four performances only and runs for three hours, including an insightful interview with playwright, Stephen Beresford.

For screening times and bookings, go to www.sterkinekor.com
For more information: www.writingstudio.co.za/page1037.html