The Welsh National Opera are somewhat of a mainstay at Birmingham Hippodrome, regularly bringing their productions to the theatre during the Spring season - and amongst this year's offering is Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte.

If you're the sort of person who doesn't normally seek out operatic performance, put aside any concerns or preconceptions you may have about going to see and experience the art form if you haven’t done so before.

This Mozart written, comic drama is brought (almost!) up to date, and is set in a 1970s sixth form. This fresh take on the story is thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining.  

All the cast’s performances bring the right mix of melody and nuance to each piece; whether it be with comedy, sadness or joy. Special mention though must go to Rebecca Evans who plays Despina. For this production the character has been altered from a cynical teenager into a wonderfully funny, but still as cynical, dinner lady that would have fitted easily into Victoria Woods TV ensemble comedy of the same name.

The time just flew by as we watched and listened to Despina pulling the manipulation strings, alongside Don Alfonso, of the 4 young people at the centre of the story. The students ride a 24 hour emotional roller coaster experiment, learning to re-evaluate their relationships.

The “School for Lovers” set contains super sized phallic symbols, the chorus are a mixture of the non sixth form school boys and girls, hockey players and the most mud covered rugby players I’ve seen since reruns of the 1960s winter six nations matches!

The young people’s journeys are still pertinent some couple of centuries after this was originally penned. All in all, asuperb production from an established, outstanding opera company.

The full listings for the Welsh National Opera, playing at venues around the UK, can be found online at wno.org.uk.