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Dates and Venue: April 17, 18, and 19 | The ANNEX, 823 Seymour Street, Vancouver Composer: Roan Shankaruk; Director: Christopher Lam; Music Director: Perri Lo; Art Director: Jessica Cole; Intimacy Director: Natasha Martina; Stage Manager: Andy Sandberg; Lighting Designer: Christian Ching; Shadow Puppeteer: Matthew Gorlitz; Supertitles: Emma Jang Reviewer: Christian Steckler It is always stimulating to see new approaches to staged events. It keeps the arts world alive and thriving and full of promise. Adapted from the short story by D.H. Lawrence, this new production of The Fox, an exciting, innovative chamber opera, showcases the talent of its creator, Roan Shankaruk. We eagerly await more from this artist, with her clear, sensitive, and nuanced characterizations and plot development in operatic production. Christopher Lam’s keen direction keeps the audience focused on the characters’ actions, and allows insight into their psyches, as the mystery of the metaphorical fox, unfolds. Special mention must be made of the musical backdrop to this production…undulating, surreal, always magically, almost subliminally carrying the audience through the changing emotional undercurrents of the characters. Perri Lo masterfully directs the accomplished musicians, pianist Derek Stanyer, violinist Teodora Dimova, and cellist Min Jee Yoon, through this ethereal journey. Of course, there is no opera without the singers. All three characters have strong voices and deliver spellbinding performances. Jill Banford (Renee Farjardo) and Nellie March (Taryn Plater) are two women who have created a happy and satisfying life together on a farm in rural England at the close of World War I. Their partnership seems perfectly balanced, and there are obvious hints of romantic intimacy between them. Their problem at the moment is a pesky fox, which has been killing chickens and eating into their already spare profit margin. Jill, the more domestic of the two, and dependent on Nellie for her emotional stability, is vexed by the fox. Nellie, the more steady and physical one, has been trying to find and shoot the fox, but has met with failure. On one notable occasion, she has a perfect opportunity to kill the fox at close range, but is mysteriously entranced by its presence, and fails to take the shot. One day, a returning soldier enters their world. He identifies himself as Henry Grenfel (Chris Donlevy), the grandson of the deceased former owner of the farm. Jill finds his presence disturbing and nerve-wracking, while Nellie takes him in stride. Gradually, his presence threatens the happy and cohesive life of the two women. As the plot unfolds, the metaphorical puzzle of the fox unfolds with it. The performers and production team create an evening of authentic entertainment, elevating the quality of innovative ventures, and bringing anticipation of more successes in operatic performances to Vancouver audiences. This show deserves more than the short run it has. ©
2026, Christian Steckler
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An
Opera Unbound Production