Rossini’s joyously inventive music makes Il barbiere di Siviglia a deftly-paced triumph of comic timing. But woe betide anyone taking too many liberties. Adelina Patti, the great 19th century diva, once sang the aria ‘Una voce poco fa’ to Rossini, adding numerous florid embellishments. The composer responded: ‘Very nice, my dear, and who wrote
TRISTRAM KENTONTerminally bored: Patricia Hodge and Nigel HaversRolling up in the West End in its silk pyjamas, martini in one hand, Sobranie in the other, Thea
PATRICK MARMION: Can Alan Ayckbourn make it to 100? Plays that is, not years. At the rate the 84-year-old Scribbler of Scarborough is going, I wouldn t put it past him.