Curated, Produced and Presented by Jenna Robertson

In association with Perth FRINGE WORLD Festival, 2014

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February 20, 21, 22, Perth Town Hall, Australia

A fully-staged original production of comic opera The Old Maid and the Thief, with music, lyrics and libretto by Italian-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti, inspired by the gossip and drama of a small American town. The rarely performed opera's 14 short scenes with fun ensembles and lush arias were performed in the historical Perth Town Hall, Australia’s only medieval style town hall.

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The Old Maid and the Thief farcically explores the secrets hidden within a small town. Miss Todd, a local busybody, and her maid Laetitia compete for the affection of a handsome wanderer, Bob. Secrets are kept and complications begin when the women learn that a criminal matching Bob’s description has just escaped from a local prison. Originally conceived as a radio-opera for broadcast by the National Broadcasting Company in 1939, The Old Maid and the Thief was performed first on the stage in 1941 in Philadelphia.

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Creative Producer - Jenna Robertson

Director - Kathryn Osborne
Musical Director/Piano - Lochlan Brown
Set and Costume Designers - Philippa Nilant and Sally Phipps

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Miss Todd - Nola Formentin
Bob - Michael Heap
Laetitia - Jenna Robertson
Miss Pinkerton - Alexandra Bak

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Perth FRINGE WORLD Festival 2014 and Jenna Robertson presented The Old Maid and the Thief by arrangement with Warner Chappell Music Limited.

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**** “This might be unusual Fringe fare, but it's worth every nickel. Catch it if you can."

David Zampatti, The West Australian