NEW CORNWALL OPERA'S new production is Humperdinck's Hansel & Gretel.

Needing a small cast and minimal scenery, it's a good choice for a touring company who began their run last week at the Burrell Theatre.

The success of the opera largely depends on the two main characters, and NCO are fortunate to have such sopranos as Lucy Eaton and Maria Gray with good top notes and clear diction. They could also act. Indeed Lucy was the most credible Hansel I have ever seen. I also enjoyed the singing of Matt Eva (Father) and Melanie Hoadley (Witch). If Cathy Best seemed a little tentative in the dual role of Sandman/Dew Fairy, Jenny Oldfield convinced as the short-tempered stepmother.

It's always interesting to see new versions of traditional shows: David Gibson, Kathy Brown and Jay Brown have given it a modern setting – the traditional woodcutter father now works for the Acme Brush Company. But his starving children seemed less credible as did the fantasy of the wicked witch and her gingerbread children.

The three-sided scenery – forest/front of cottage/interior with oven – was clever, though I found it odd that the dramatic branches of the mobile trees sprang from lounge suits.

Anthony Trodd directed from one keyboard, Rico Gerber was on a second.