The Moderate Soprano
The Moderate Soprano
Glyndebourne’s original love story
John Christie had two great passions in life: opera, and Audrey Mildmay – a beautiful young soprano with whom he was completely smitten. Together with his formidable drive, these two passions fueled what many people saw as a monumental folly in the South Downs. Born triumphantly amidst rolling lawns, stiff manhattans, and the sound of sheep bleating from across the HaHa – Glyndebourne would eventually become revered the world over.
For such a massive enterprise, however, love alone would not be enough. When a famous violinist was fogged overnight in Eastbourne, Christie heard about a group of German refugees who found life under the Nazis increasingly impossible. Could they help Christie deliver his vision of the sublime? Provided, of course, that they were wiling to cast Audrey as their leading light….
First seen at Hampstead Theatre, David Hare’s new play tells the story of an intense love affair and an unrelenting search for artistic excellence even in the face of sacrifice, searing scrutiny, and an impending World War.
Additional Details & FAQ
- Cancellation Policy
No refunds available after purchase.
- How Does It Work
You will receive a confirmation email with a voucher attached. Please print this voucher and present it to the box office staff on the day of the show. We recommend you arrive a minimum of 30 minutes before the show to collect your tickets and settle into your seats.
- Where Do I Go
Duke of York's Theatre, St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4BG
The nearest Tube stations are Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines) and Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern lines).
Leicester Square: From the station head north up Charing Cross Road and take the first right onto Long Acre. When the road intersects with Upper St. Martin's Lane turn left. The theatre is a two minute walk away down the road.
Charing Cross: See the directions in the 'Train' section above.
Bus: There are plenty of buses operating in this area.
For the Strand take buses: 6, 9, 11, 15, 23, 91 and 139.
For Charing Cross take the 24, 29, 47, 176.
Reviews
Dale Evans
Jul 5, 2018
here's how Glyndebourne started, with a devoted love story and some World War Two history entwined. I'm a Roger Allam fan so anythinghe's in...
Hazel Reece
Jul 2, 2018
The subject matter was not unfamiliar, so it kind of became more of a document-drama. The cast were superb wit and pathos shone through in equal measure. Glyndebourne, Opera, Aristocracy and impresarios could have been such a dry uninteresting subject, but David Hare made the humanity shine through and that was the really interesting aspect.
M Cingo
Jul 1, 2018
Lovely story, brilliant acting and humour.
Michael Barrell
Jun 29, 2018
Roger Allam was brilliant, Nancy Carroll marvellous and rest of the cast pretty damn good. Great direction of a terrific play by David Hare. As you probably gather we really enjoyed The Moderate Soprano, an amazing, fascinating, touching true story. What a pity it only has a limited run.
anonymous
Jun 29, 2018
Thought the first part was a little heavy in setting the scene. The second was brilliant. Having gone to Glyndebourne a few times it was most interesting to know more about the history.
Ruth Brandon
Jun 29, 2018
David Hare is always talky and politically relevant, and The Moderate Soprano is no exception. It's about how John Christie built the Glyndebourne opera house. The first act is high on talk and low on drama but it sets the play's themes: love, migrants' contribution to English life and the measly English attitude to them, passion, and opera. The second act is much better as the characters rivetingly interact and live out their own dramas. The acting is outstanding, particularly Roger Allam as Christie.
Monica Shackman
Jun 28, 2018
Excellent. Such good theatre. Also learnt a lot about Glyndbourne. Enough to make me want to visit in the future.
Anon
Jun 27, 2018
Intelligent, interesting and beautifully acted.
Kc
Jun 22, 2018
Absolutely wonderful. The performances were first rate. Loved every moment
Carole
Jun 22, 2018
As an associate member of Glyndebourne I have enjoyed many lovely 'all day' experiences (musical and gastronomical) there. The play is an exquisitely presented history of the founder and his divine wife, The Moderate Soprano. It made me want to rush to buy more tickets to Glyndebourne for this season immediately! Also I felt compelled to notify friends to buy tickets to this play -- it is not to be missed.
Kim
Jun 20, 2018
A really enjoyable play, especially if you know Glyndebourne. All the cast were excellent and it made for a very pleasant evening in the theatre. I would definitely recommend if you have time to see it before it closes at the end of the month.
Robin Leggate
Jun 19, 2018
As a regular opera goer,I found this play a delight. But you should enjoy it even if you know little of music. It tells of how Glyndebourne was founded on the eccentricity of one Englishman and the professionalism of a German, a Jew and an Austrian. Finely crafted play. We'll acted and congratulations to the dialect coach.
Disappointed
Jun 14, 2018
Disappointing play although interesting for the history. You would need to have been to Glyndebourne to understand it and it was lacking one very important thing - music!
Angela1
Jun 14, 2018
A wonderful, delightful, amusing and touching performance. The play will particularly appeal to those of you who support and attend the Glyndebourne season . We loved the viewpoint regarding Mozart!!!!! A worthwhile play!
Kitcat
Jun 14, 2018
This was a fascinating and well staged production giving he history of Glyndebourne and John Christie's determination to introduce opera of the highest quality to England. That it has continued now for three generations is a remarkable testament to these early years which were beautifully portrayed and acted by the cast. One imagines however that it is a production of most interest of those of us lucky enough to know Glyndebourne.
Carol SN
Jun 14, 2018
Wonderful, great play and great acting. Really enjoyed it as for once could hear every word, 2nd row back dress circle.
jane parke
Jun 14, 2018
Love Roger Allam so anything with him in is always going to be good. Enjoyed the play, very funny in parts. well acted. Had very good seats secured with a discount.
Christine Elizabeth
May 24, 2018
This is a beautifully acted piece of pure English eccentricity. The founding of the Glyndebourne Opera by a truly fascinating and indefatigable Englishman. It is also a tender love story. Whilst this may be viewed as a very niche story, the historical background set just before World War 2 is equally interesting. The sets are stunning, despite the tiny theatre, giving a feeling of the enormous country house estate. Roger Allam and Nancy Carroll's performances are faultless.
B Whilds
May 22, 2018
David Hare,s play was witty, sad and at times very funny. Roger Allam and Nancy Carroll were superb A very enjoyable evening.
Janart
May 22, 2018
We both enjoyed the play very much. We understood every word, so were able to follow the gentle love story of which we had not heard. It was important to have the humorous bits, to lift the play.
Helen Ryan
May 18, 2018
Brilliant cast all round, and especially Roger Allam and Nancy Carol. Funny, incredibly informative, and also very moving. Loved it!
The Moderate Pianist
May 18, 2018
Excellent, well acted, interesting, entertaining and very funny too at times. Incredibly enough, in these times of global uncertainty, very factual and actual! A delight to watch and quite poignant at the same time.
Steve Brier
May 16, 2018
A lovely play. Really enjoyed the evening.
Janet Craft
May 15, 2018
It took some remarkable actors to do credit to the script, and they did! We enjoyed it on many levels, funny, touching and engaging. British theatre at its best.
Adie Wilson
May 15, 2018
I found this true story of the Christies and their role in creating Glyndebourne using German refugees in the 1930s incredibly moving.
MR
May 13, 2018
The show is delightful, funny and sad in equal measure and crediting the Austrian and German trio who worked with John Christie and Audrey Mildmay to create glyndbourne . Roger Allam and Nancy Carroll are superb and the supporting cast are terrific. The staging is wonderful- such atmosphere and so thought-provoking.
Sandra B
May 11, 2018
I was not expecting this to be so funny! wonderful cast and great scenery.
Hugh Coleridge
Apr 29, 2018
Great delights to be found here both in the writing and the acting. A splendid cast, although just possibly, the svelte and stylish Nancy Carroll was not, physically speaking, the perfect choice for the role of Audrey Mildmay. All the actors have first rate voice projection to reach out to the old theatre. But, that said, this play may be better suited to a smaller venue. It is essentially a chamber piece.
R E B
Apr 22, 2018
This is an excellent production and I thought the staging very good. The actors were all good and every word could be heard from my seat at the back of the Royal Circle.
Marion
Apr 22, 2018
Beautifully acted, the first part was rather slow but gained momentum in the second half. The "quintessentially English" institution relied heavily on European immigrants to get off the ground, so is very relevant to today's debate. Glyndebourne itself IS about privilege, though, so the message is rather mixed.
Opera lover
Apr 21, 2018
My husband and I enjoyed the evening very much, of special interest to us since we have visited Glyndebourne to see the Opera on numerous occasions. The cast of the play were outstanding.
S Greenwood
Apr 20, 2018
What a joy, it made me laugh and moved me to tears. The acting was superb, everyone of the cast was perfect. It is the best thing I have seen in ages. I do go to Glynbourne when I can and see their live screenings. I thought I knew the story about its beginnings but there was so much more I learned about all those involved. The writing of the play is so good., quite brilliant.
Cathy
Apr 7, 2018
A fascinating history of the birth of Glyndbourne . Also an insight into people's attitude towards the Nazi's when they first came into power. I felt the last 2 scenes were over long and a bit too sentimental. Quite a few people were walking out before the final curtain. More music please!!! Particularly Mozart - could be used to soften the stridency of the lead character and would add atmosphere.