Purple Tuesday is not a celebration of the life and works of Prince, but an initiative designed to improve the customer experience for disabled shoppers.
Shops and stores go beyond their normal practice regarding disabled shoppers, and their specific needs are highlighted to the less aware traders as well as we fellow bargain hunters. To make the day even more special, Opera North is performing its Whistle Stop Opera: The Magic Flute, in the arcades of the Victoria Quarter at 11.30am on 2nd November. This is the best bargain you will find all day as it is free. Even we Yorkshire folk can’t moan about that.
This is not the full version of the opera, but a pared down 35-minute performance, accompanied by an accordion rather than the full orchestra, designed for the person who either likes opera but doesn’t know whether they could manage the full-blown experience, or who has never come into contact with the genre before.
I saw this work in June in the car park of Holbeck WMC, and I thought it was brilliant. If you would like to see my full review please go to https://tyke-it-to-the-limit.com/2021/06/16/whistle-stop-opera-the-magic-flute-recycled/
The plush setting of the Victoria Quarter will obviously mean that there will need to be some modification and the acoustics will be totally different but it will at least be dry and warm, which, thankfully, it was in the car park!
Although a stripped down version there are some of Mozart’s most famous arias and you will still be able to hear the amazing star singers of Opera North; soprano Emily Loftus, baritone Timothy Nelson and tenor Nicholas Watts. Let’s face it, it is always good to have an extra tenor when you are Christmas Shopping.
Opera North and Victoria Quarter have form in providing entertainment on Purple Tuesday, having put on a piece back in 2019 https://tyke-it-to-the-limit.com/2019/11/14/purple-tuesday-in-county-arcade/ Opera North also stage Dementia Friendly performances of some of their main works.
So, if you need a break from getting drastic with the plastic, why not join in the fun – and it is fun – next Tuesday.
All images by Tom Arber provided by Opera North
Tyke It To The Limit 