Montgomeryshire-based mezzo soprano Rebecca Afonwy-Jones says she is thrilled to be making her stage debut with Mid Wales Opera, and her first ever appearance at her home theatre The Hafren in Newtown as part of a brand new production of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel.

Rebecca, who grew up in Montgomeryshire and still lives just 12 miles from Newtown, has sung for prestigious companies across the UK and beyond. She regularly visited The Hafren as a child and has supported friends appearing in MWO’s previous performances – but never performed there herself.

Mid Wales Opera (MWO) is delighted that she is joining their Spring 2023 tour, which opens in Newtown on March 4, in the twin role of Mother/Witch and returning to her, and their, home county of Montgomeryshire to sing in her first MWO production.

Rebecca said: “When I was a child we used to see all kinds of things at The Hafren and I have watched various BBC NOW concerts and of course MWO shows to support colleagues in the past but I have never performed there.

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"Given that it’s the nearest theatre to my home – about 12 miles! – it will be a lovely occasion and I think a few local friends and relations might find their way there to cheer us on!”

After years of performing miles from home, MWO’s Wales tour will be a wonderful break from life on the road.

“Touring normally means lots of nights away, arriving very late at hotels and leaving very early the next morning to get to the next venue," Rebecca explained.

"This tour will be very different, and I shall be delighted to get home and see my beloved dogs!”

Hansel and Gretel is based on the Brothers Grimm’s fairytale, two children are banished to the enchanted woods by their hungry, frustrated mother. When their father returns and learns of their whereabouts, he reveals to their mother the true terrors of the gingerbread Witch, and the two of them hurry out to find them.

Meanwhile, out in the woods, the two children get lost before wandering into the clutches of the Witch who is determined to fatten them up and turn them into gingerbread. At the last minute the Witch is outwitted, and the gingerbread figures that surround the Witch’s house are revealed as dead children waiting to be brought back to life.

MWO’s production will also feature a different children’s chorus in each theatre with talented young performers from Newtown’s MA Theatre School joining the company for the opening night.

Rebecca is looking forward to getting to grips with the role of Mother and Witch. She said: “It has been an exciting challenge preparing two roles in one opera – a bit like learning Jekyll and Hyde...the mother and witch are more similar that perhaps we’re prepared to admit. I am looking forward to finding the extremes in both their characters and finding out how this unfolds in rehearsal.

“It’s a real challenge to present the stark reality of a struggling mother who is tired, bad tempered, hungry and very possibly in a difficult marriage. These are things with which audience members could identify to varying degrees and I feel it’s my job to make this as real as possible, without making her a caricature. The Witch, if you like, represents the B-side of the Mother and could be glamorous, ghoulish and strangely vulnerable all at once.

“It’s a familiar story that has been passed down through childhood fairytale telling so everyone broadly knows what happens and what to expect. We get the chance to communicate this age old cautionary tale, through the extra magical dimensions of music and singing, heightening the drama.”

Rebecca began her career at Scottish Opera in the title role of Carmen before making her début at Welsh National Opera as Countess Geschwitz in Lulu and returning as an Associate Artist. Engagements this season include the world première of Julian Philips' Looking West at Ryedale & Presteigne Festivals, St Matthew Passion at the St Endellion Festival, Elgar's Sea Pictures at Truro Cathedral, Richard Blackford’s Pietà with City of Bristol Choir, Child of Our Time with Newcastle Bach Choir, Messiah with the Norwegian Wind Ensemble, Vaughan Williams Five Tudor Portraits with Britten Sinfonia and Wellgunde Götterdämmerung for Longborough Festival Opera.

Hansel and Gretel opens at The Hafren theatre, Newtown on Saturday, March 4, and will be touring Wales as well as visiting the Courtyard, Hereford throughout March.

ll the dates and details are at www.midwalesopera.co.uk. The production is suitable for children aged 8 and over.

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