FULL HORSE OPERA (Stewart Copeland) TV-Opera UK 1993 Phillip Guy Bromley, Rik Mayall, Silas Carson, Gina Bellman
Information on the Performance
- Work Title: Horse Opera
- Composer: Copeland Stewart
- Libretto: Jonathan Moore
- Venue & Opera Company: TV-Studio UK
- Recorded: 1993
- Type: Movie
- Singers: Phillip Guy Bromley, Rik Mayall, Silas Carson, Gina Bellman, Edward Tudor-Pole, Michael Attwell, Siobhan McCarthy, Gurdial Sira, Indira Joshi , Umesh Patel
- Conductor:
- Orchestra:
- Stage Director: Bob Baldwin
- Stage Designer: Bryce Walmsley
- Costume Designer: Diana Moseley
Information about the Recording
- Published by: Channel 4
- TV Director: Bob Baldwin
- Date Published: 1993
- Format: Broadcast
- Quality Video: 3 Audio:3
- Subtitles: yessubs, ensubs, gensubs
- Video Recording from: YouTube FULL VIDEO
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE
Set against a backdrop that defies the typical confines of genre, “Horse Opera” blends the sensations of a bygone era with the invigorating spirit of musical dramedy. The film, intended as an imaginative twist on the classic Western, offers a unique experience that some might find refreshingly unconventional, while others may view it as bewildering.
The plot of “Horse Opera” takes a route less traveled, embarking on a narrative journey that is not entirely concerned with linear storytelling or traditional character development. It is bold and experimental, interweaving various elements that pay homage to the lyrical storytelling of old Westerns. Though it can feel disjointed at times due to its dreamlike sequences and musical interludes, these are the very features that endow the film with its singular charm. Characters in “Horse Opera” are larger than life, serving more as archetypical figures or caricatures rather than deeply developed personas. This could be a deliberate choice in drawing parallels to the theatrical spectacle of traditional opera – where roles are often grand and thematically driven.
The performances may tend to the flamboyant, bordering on surreal, contributing to the film’s peculiar, festive atmosphere. The overall entertainment value of “Horse Opera” hinges on viewer disposition. Those open to a fusion of musical numbers, absurdist comedy, and a nostalgic nod to the Western genre will likely find the film a delightful curiosity, rich in its eccentricities. However, audiences seeking a coherent, straightforward Western narrative could find the movie confusing.
In sum, “Horse Opera” stakes its claim in the world of television as a bold, experimental piece—not bound by convention, and certainly not for all tastes. Its originality is commendable, and its commitment to a peculiar artistic vision makes it a noteworthy project, if not an outright cult classic. Whether or not it is wholly successful as a piece of entertainment may be up for debate, but it is undeniably an interesting artifact of its time that sought to redefine genre boundaries.