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Finally, a Diva to believe in
IS THERE A DIVA IN THE HOUSE
Pentameters heatre
THOSE of us used to Posh Spice and Paris Hilton will find a far more old-fashioned diva on stage at the Pentameters Theatre this week.
Signora Rosario della Glotta, played by Jackie Skarvellis, is ‘La Traumatica,’ so called for her devastating power on the stage and her abrasive effect off it.
For her the words “diva” and “prima donna” carry their original meaning of “a woman of outstanding talent”.
She is also the reason they got a bad reputation in the first place.
That it’s a one-woman show is somehow appropriate – all the attention is focused on our star, who preens, stomps, bosses and bitches her way through the dressing rooms of the world.
Her outpourings, addressed to her husband/manager Ludo and her dresser Maria, are a jovial pop at the opera world.
A Macbeth with rubber suits, a Finnish opera set in space and extortion by the mafia are all endured until the final indignity – the fading of her talent – threatens to stop her performing.
The joke is ultimately on her, a diva to the end, as she refuses to believe her career could ever be over.
In choosing to portray conversation with invisible characters, Richard Parson’s script can seem a little clunky as two people’s dialogue is wedged into one.
However, Skarvellis’s exceptional delivery and timing makes light work of exposition-heavy and gag-filled dialogue and, as a proper diva should, she effortlessly fills the wide Pentameters stage.
There is nothing “difficult” or “high art” about Martin Starkie’s production.
It’s a light, fun and affectionate theatrical send-up.
Until September 9
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