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Somewhere that's green: Potty the Plant at Wiltons Music Hall

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"I'm Potty the Plant," sings a potted plant in this odd little fringe concept of a show. It's hard not to get the tune out of your head, even if the show is brief. It's an earworm for a show that features a worm-like plant as a puppet. And given the show's brevity, running at only an hour, it's hard to get too annoyed by a lack of a coherent story, even if it still seems like the show could use a bit more development (which is underway). It has made its London debut at Wilton's Music Hall. The premise is that Potty, the plant, lives in the hospital office of Dr Acula (geddit?) and dreams of a life with the cleaning lady Miss Lacey (Lucy Appleton). But Dr Acula might be responsible for why all these children are disappearing while trying to romance Miss Lacey for her family's money that she doesn't have. Three nurses are on the case, trying to solve the mystery.  If the show settled on a convincing plot, location and set of characters, it could ...

Secret marriages and other rivalries: Il Matrimonio Segreto @popupoperauk


Cimarosa’s Il Matrimonio Segreto (The Secret Marriage) continues Pop-up Opera's tradition of semi-staging rarely seen works in unusual locations. It's playing at various sites across the country until 30 July.

This rarely-seen work is perfect for their style. It's a little bit silly. It has some great arias. And it showcases some fabulous voices from its young and energetic cast. Of course being Pop-up Opera, they add some 21st century flourishes to this  18th century opera. There are endless references to politics and on-point trends.



The story centres around two young lovers, Paolino and Carolina. They get married and tell nobody about it. Slight problem is that Paolino married one of the two daughters of the man he works for. Who just happens to be a rich Italian businessman. He's also working on marrying off the other daughter to a mad English toff... Who seems to bear some resemblance to Boris... Albeit he can sing. And doesn't waffle. But this toff fancies Carolina...

It's well sung and acted with a terrific performance by Peter Kirk as Paolino. He his unforced tenor voice was powerful yet fresh and perfectly suited for the role. Opposite him as Carolina, Chiara Vinci is a feisty soprano full of energy and wit.


In the surroundings of The Vaults at Waterloo it isn't the most magical of all the venues Pop-Up Opera will tour. But the appreciative audience were either cheering or in hysterics from the proceedings.

Directed by Max Hoehn and with Musical Direction by Berrak Dyer, Il Matrimonio Segreto travels around the country. The performers vary depending on the evening. There are future dates in and around London throughout the summer too. Don't miss it.

⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎

Production photos by Richard Lakos and rehearsal photographs by Lidia Crisafulli

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