U-Carmen eKhayelitsha: B+
An updated version of Bizet's Carmen. Great setting: South Africa. Great twist on the original story: characters are cigarette factory workers and drug smugglers. Phenomenal singing! Worth it just for that. The rework of the story and the language are all outstanding.
But herein lies my issue: with the update to the setting and to clearly street-savvy modern people, I had a hard time buying the typic opera modus operandi. The one where they repeat everything eight times. For example: Lovesick Cop chasing after Carmen in bar. Rural Bethrothed of Lovesick Cop follows him into bar, singing "Your mother is dying." Lovesick Cop, "I love Carmen and cannot leave." RBoLC sings "Your mother is dying." LC, "I love Carmen and cannot leave." RBoLC, "Your mother is dying." LC, "What, my mother is dying? I must leave."
Also, I have very little patience where these characters just can't get over themselves. DUDE, Carmen is a no good criminal who does not love you. Do yourself a favour and go back to Hometown with your brother's widow who is cute and *does* love you. Yeah, Carmen is a sexy woman. But get over it. There is no future here. Seriously. No, don't stalk her at the big concert. Listen to your mother. Go home. Dude. DUDE! Great. Now you've killed Carmen. And you'll go to prison. And you've killed the person you "love". Where's the win/win here? No where. *That's* where.
But the singing is exceptional. And Pauline Malefane is HOT! She is one sexy lady. Wow.
Website http://www.u-carmen.com/