Well lubricated with champagne and stuffed with allergenic sushi which made me cough hysterically through the entire first act I attended the Cape Town premiere of Mozart’s Magic Flute directed by South Africa’s second most successful artist (after Dylan Lewis), William Kentridge. It was spectacular. I am not the greatest fan of our No. 2 at most times but there can be no doubt that Kentridge the director (his initial calling) is a genius.

Incorporating back, front and probably side-projection as well, the static sets drawn in signature Kentridge style were brought to life with traditional ‘erased drawing’ animations as well as a beautiful and almost constant display of line being drawn in white across the stage. For example the famous Queen of the Night aria saw rays of stars emanating from the singer as she brilliantly hit all the high notes.

Although I am informed that opera traditionalists find the MTV treatment a bit of a distraction as an MTV traditionalist (and opera fan) I thought that Kentridge succeeded in bringing meaning and depth to this most confusing of all operas. Apparently you have to be a freemason to fully grasp all the Magic Flute’s subtleties this version seemed less impenetrable than other productions I have seen. Maybe I should ask Robert Sloon, that notorious Mason, for some insight.

In any event this was a breakthrough production that will give even the most vehement Kentridge yawner or opera hater pause for thought and considerable enjoyment. Hopefully he will now stick to opera and stop making ugly prints. William, it was really something.