Company: UTAS Conservatorium of Music/Cradle Project

Season: 30 April - 1 May 2010

Venue: Theatre Royal, Hobart 

Written by: Benjamin Britten

Director: Paige Newmark

Musical Director: Myer Fredman

Conductor: Johanna van Tienen

Stage Manager: Rogan Brown

Bel Canto Director: Suzanne Ortuso

SYNOPSIS

Forming part of the longer work, Let’s Make an Opera, Benjamin Britten was said to have composed The Little Sweep with a beaming smile. This ingenious work, almost unrivalled for its charm, will bring both a tear and a smile.

The first act, Let’s Make an Opera, is set in the present day. Max is writing an opera and gets his children and their friends to rehearse it.  He explains to them what it takes to put on an opera.

The second act is the opera itself, The Little Sweep. Set in the nineteenth century, it tells the story of chimney sweep, Sam. Sam is forced to clean the chimney at Iken Hall against the protests of nursery maid, Rowan.  

After getting stuck in the chimney, Sam is rescued by Rowan and the children of the house.  They hide him from his cruel master, give him a bath and plan to help him escape.

The next morning, Sam is given clothes, food and money and the children pack him into a trunk which is taken away by a coach, allowing Sam to evade his master and find his freedom.