Last Updated on May 14, 2026
Riotously funny unending revelry
When Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus first opened it was a flop. Vienna was floundering after a world shaking financial crisis. In spite of his pre-eminent position, Strauss’s opulent waltzes and songs of champagne reminded the theatre going bourgeoisie about a lifestyle they could no longer afford.
Nowadays, cultural changes and its historic setting mean that Fledermaus parodies a life very few have lived. While we can’t all guzzle champagne (Strauss’s king of wines) nightly, we have access to prosecco which is probably at least a baronet. This means the memories no longer sting and we can revel within Strauss’s masterpiece freely.
In Guildhall School of Music and Drama’s new production of Die Fledermaus, revelry was in no short supply. Directed by Ashley Dean it was a masterpiece of consummate joy from start to finish. Before the curtain rose Dr Falke emerged with an ear splitting grin inside the audience to greet everyone as Freunden and distributed invites to a glittering array of prancing legs.
These invites were the embers of Falke’s vengeance, the sparks he would fan into an inferno of imbroglio to engulf Gabriel Eisenstein. Fledermaus is a classic farce, everyone ends up lying to each other with their full knowledge, cheating on their partners with (among others) their partners and tied up in impossible knots to loosen. This is accompanied with humour which left the audience in riotous guffaws.
The art deco staging designed by Adam Wiltshire left nothing to be desired. Each of the sets felt relevant, kept interest, and were pleasant to look at. Much of this was also due to the excellent choreography and movement by Angelo Smimmo. Particularly in the second act, it felt like the movement never stopped, repeated or became dull. Many of the songs were accompanied by an impressively adept dance by the chorus, carrying out double duties. This continued right the way to the curtain call where the performers danced their way to their bows with the audience clapping in time.
Eduard Hanslick once complain about the the inclusion of Waltzes in theatre. Hanslick thought drama always ought to progress forwards but dances left it pointlessly rotating. The unceasing outpour of joy from the Guildhall orchestra, conducted by Dominic Wheeler could have put that idea down once and for all. Vibrantly pinwheeling through the familiar classics, they never clashed overmuch with the stage and never stopped eliciting a smile.
Following Falke’s incursion, the first of the cast to be heard was Sang Eup Son as Alfred. Alfred is an unusually high part in the tenor canon and parodies many archetypes of tenor parts. Sang Eup Son though was anything but laughable. His voice rang in from offstage as clear voluble as if he was front and centre. When he was at the front of the stage, the power was unceasing and the quality mellifluous.
Biqing Zhang then emerged with a flurry of feather-light coloratura as Adele. Zhang’s deft vocals and bright tone continued unflinching throughout. Mariana Fernandes as Rosalinde was capable of stunning power when needed but, perhaps fatigued by the constant movement, seemed to have lost energy by the end.
Dominic Lee as Gabriel von Eisenstein adapted well to each change in the role. Forceful and orotund in his wrath, Lee had no issues becoming sweet toned and plaintive when seducing or joyous and bright when celebrating. Karima El Demerdasch played the gender bending role of Prince Orlofsky. Oleaginous and effete as the party’s tyrant, Demerdasch had impressive sound throughout her range.
Sonny Fielding coped well with Dr Blind’s hazardous patter song. Hector Bloggs’ Dr Falke brimmed with natural dramatic and comedic talent. Thomas McGowan as Frank’s act 3 dumb-show was flawless.
For only £30 this school production punches well above its weight. I can think of few other performances as constantly entertaining.
Die Fledermaus runs until November 11th
https://www.gsmd.ac.uk/whats-on/die-fledermaus
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Silk Street,
Barbican,
London,
EC2Y 8DT
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