Milborne Port Opera is back with one of theatre’s most popular operettas.
Filled with memorable songs, waltzes and the Can-Can, The Merry Widow is the story of the expatriate community in Paris of a tiny country called Pontevedro, located somewhere in the mountains of Transylvania.
The country’s richest banker dies on his honeymoon, leaving his delightful young widow, Anna Glavari, with a giant fortune. Pompous ambassador Count Zeta plots to ensure that only a Pontevedran will marry the widow and get the money back, but who can he find? Step forward Count Danilovitch, aka Danilo, who is determined not to fall in love with her and the story flows from there.
The usual MPO cast will be performing with Chris Bailward directing, Caroline D’Cruz directing the music and Naomi Booth as choreographer. Several performers appeared in the first production of this operetta by MPO in 2004 and will be making it a belated celebration of the company’s 30th birthday last year.
The Merry Widow is on from 20-23 April at Milborne Port Village hall, 7.30pm. Tickets are £14 (concession on first night only) online at www.mpopera.co.uk or from Waynes Butchers in Milborne Port.

by Faith Eckersall