Toronto Masque Theatre – Purcell’s The Indian Queen

by Paula Citron.
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The Indian Queen
Toronto Masque Theatre
Composed by Henry Purcell
Directed by Derek Boyes
Starring singers Daniel Auchincloss, Teri Dunn, Meredith Hall, Andrew Mahon, Peter Mahon, James Tuttle, Richard Whittall, Michael Uloth and Cavell Wood, and actors Arlene Mazerolle and Ivan Sherry
At Betty Oliphant Theatre
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The always ambitious Toronto Masque Theatre put on a very generous Purcell program that included the first half cantata Come, ye sons of art, and an abridged version by Maer Powell of the opera-ballet The Indian Queen.

Musically, the work of TMT is always sound, be it the excellent early music ensemble that artistic director Larry Beckwith puts together, or the singers and dancers that he contracts. Soprano Meredith Hall made it all look easy in her various roles with her lovely voice and beautiful phrasing. Two to watch are bass Michael Uloth and baritone Andrew Mahon. They both have rich, warm, hearty voices.

The Indian Queen was semi-staged meaning director Derek Boyes had to cope with singers, narrators and dancers. Caroline Guilbault provided the fetching Aztec panels that comprised the set, and Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière and Sylvie Martel the minimal costumes.

Lacoursière’s period choreography was a bore, narrator Arlene Mazerolle garbled her words, but at least all the wonderful music was there.