From left: Bamber Gascoigne and the interior of the new theatre
This was quickly dispelled by Wasfi’s inspiring description of the finished theatre. “The big question was of course how we could build it to be ready in 2017. The tight deadline because of the operas and the contracts we had already committed to, projects that started over four years ago. You’re either going to do something temporary, or we say okay we’re going to do the real thing. So we designed for a quick-build to achieve just this". Commencing in June, West Horsley Place will start their first opera season which includes Jenufa by Czech composer Leoš Janáček; Wagner’s Die Walküre; and Puccini’s Tosca. The Theatre in The Woods is also hosting an evening with the Royal Ballet’s Principal Artist Zenaidi Yanowski, who dances whilst Grange Park Opera’s patron Sir Bryn Terfel sings. Visitors will enjoy a full Grange Park Opera experience. The extensive gardens, with its ancient box hedges, will welcome audiences to enjoy champagne picnics during extended half-time intervals, under canvas if the weather dictates. Dining will also be provided in the house, with its beautiful 17th century red-brick façade hiding the 15th century expansive oak-beamed residence behind, and within in its long history has entertained within its walls the good and the great, including Henry VIII. “The Grange Park Opera House, with its orchestra pit and all those tiers seating 650 people, will not just be used as a traditional opera house. I’ve always said this is a building for many people from many walks of life. I’m not just building it for rich people,” explained Wasfi earnestly. “The thing that I’m slightly fixated on is that I think it’s very difficult for young artists, and by artists I mean singers and actors, to show their work. I’ve seen for example some wacky opera going on in a London pub, young people putting enormous effort into their show. I want to give them a real stage. So if they want to come to Surrey and put on their opera, we can ticket it for them and we can market it for them, and I don’t want to make any money in the process.” I was still subconsciously unsettled by the sight of the unfinished steel and bare concrete structure in the woods, and so close to the opening of the new opera house 16
“For the interior I was thinking of going for a standard white and creamy gold décor, until someone said to me: ‘You know, it’s in the woods, so the woods need to come into the theatre’. So, we’re going for pale green and blues with a lovely painted ceiling. There will be bunches of metal oak leaves scattered across the front of the balconies, all linked by sweeping staircases.” And the exterior, not just concrete blockwork surely? Predictably for this inspired project, far from it. “The planners wanted us to do something in keeping with the house, so the outer skin is going to be an elegant and decorative brick façade to match the ancient walls of the house and gardens.” Just before my tour ended, Wasfi was keen to re-emphasise the fact that she wants to make opera accessible to all-comers. “Britain has got this thing about opera being elitist. It’s not. You don’t need to know anything about opera. All you have to do is walk into that theatre, sit down in a seat and have a load of feelings. Whatever feelings you have are the right feelings. That is not elitist. We have also been offering tickets under our Meteor Scheme to under 35-year-olds for £35 for good seats.” And my slight confusion over exactly what the new theatre is called was also quickly put to rest. “I don’t want people to get bogged down on the idea that it’s called the Grange Park Opera House, or just Grange Park. That’s why we have this other name, with it affectionately known as The Theatre in The Woods.” Phil Kemp is a freelance writer and photographer based in Godalming. www. weyriver.co.uk. FIND OUT MORE For more information about the Theatre in the Woods and Grange Park Opera's 2017 programme, please visit www. grangeparkopera.co.uk.
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