{"id":24275,"date":"2015-08-17T18:15:12","date_gmt":"2015-08-17T22:15:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/"},"modified":"2015-08-17T18:15:12","modified_gmt":"2015-08-17T22:15:12","slug":"review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/","title":{"rendered":"REVIEW: Handel\u2019s Saul \u2013 directed by Barry Kosky"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>REVIEW: Handel\u2019s Saul \u2013 directed by Barry Kosky<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Attending a performance as part of the Glyndebourne Festival is more than just a night out at the opera. It is an event.<\/p>\n<p>Glyndebourne is recognized internationally as one of the great opera houses of the world &ndash; the festival was founded by John Christie in 1934 and each year presents a program of six operas in its modern 1,200-seat opera house.<\/p>\n<p>Named after the house and gardens in East Sussex in which the opera house has been built, the easiest way to get to a Glyndebourne performance is by train from London to the small village of Lewes. The festival then provides coaches to transport everyone to the estate.<\/p>\n<p>You can tell the experienced Glyndebournians &ndash; arriving well before the performance starts, they come equipped with a picnic and make a beeline to secure the prime picnic positions. There are several restaurants on site also, so even if you aren&rsquo;t quite organized enough to throw together a picnic you won&rsquo;t starve.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/img_5105\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/IMG_5105-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Glyndebourne Festival 2015\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/img_5106\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/IMG_5106-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Glyndebourne Festival 2015\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/img_5108\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/IMG_5108-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Glyndebourne Festival 2015\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/img_5109\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/IMG_5109-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Glyndebourne Festival 2015\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/img_5110\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/IMG_5110-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Glyndebourne Festival 2015\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This was my first experience of Glyndebourne in all its glory &ndash; I was excited to be seeing a production of Handel&rsquo;s Saul, directed by Australian opera specialist Barry Kosky.<\/p>\n<p>Kosky is renowned for his theatrical and over-the-top productions and he brings all of that flair to the dramatic masterpiece of Saul.<\/p>\n<p>Handel composed this work in 1738 and it was first performed in London in 1739. It presents an interpretation of the biblical stories of the King of Israel, his son Jonathan, and David &ndash; the giant-killer.<\/p>\n<p>Kosky&rsquo;s production is visually stunning &ndash; a striking use of colour (and absence of it) against a black background, an eerie dreamscape transporting the action to a vaguely Elizabethan period. The sloping stage presents some challenges for the performers, but brings the action close to the audience. There&rsquo;s also an irreverent humor throughout the production which is impossible to resist.<\/p>\n<p>The story of Jonathan and David is often pointed to as one of the most homoerotic relationships within the biblical stories. Kosky embraces and celebrates this deep connection between the two <a title=\"\" class=\"aalmanual\" target=\"_blank\"   href=\"https:\/\/chaturbate.com\/in\/?tour=R2Xc&#38;campaign=hl4zp&#38;track=gfcsb\">men<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The cast is strong &ndash; Christopher Purves is commanding as Saul the mad king; Lucy Crowe is engaging as the wilful daughter Merab; Sophie Bevan brings out the girlish enthusiasm of Michal; and Benjamin Hulett as the High Priest delivers a jester-like insanity to proceedings. I would have liked a bit more from Paul Appleby as Jonathan &ndash; excellent singing but not quite with the same level of character commitment as the rest of the cast. However it&rsquo;s Iestyn Davies as David who commands attention &ndash;&nbsp;the English-born countertenor has extraordinary range and a rich, warm tone that is beautifully haunting to listen to.<\/p>\n<p>There are some incredible moments in this production, one of the obvious stand-outs is the dead march &ndash; the funeral of Saul and his son Jonathan &ndash; it packs an emotional punch that is breathtaking.<\/p>\n<p>The Glyndebourne Festival is a unique way to experience opera. Kosky&rsquo;s interpretation of Saul is an opera that sets the standard for how good opera can be.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.glyndebourne.com\/tickets-and-whats-on\/events\/2015\/saul\/\" target=\"_blank\">Saul is being performed as part of the Glyndebourne Festival until 29 August 2015.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_120-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. High Priest (Benjamin Hulett)\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-2\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_147-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. Saul (Christopher Purves).\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-3\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_154-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. High Priest (Benjamin Hulett).\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-4\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_201-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. Saul (Christopher Purves) and High Priest (Benjamin Hulett).\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-5\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_285-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. Saul (Christopher Purves) and Merab (Lucy Crowe).\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-6\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_347-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. Jonathan (Paul Appleby) and David (Iestyn Davies).\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-7\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_412-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. Saul (Christopher Purves) and Jonathan (Paul Appleby).\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-8\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_456-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. High Priest (Benjamin Hulett), centre, and the Glyndebourne Chorus.\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-9\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_462-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. Michal (Sophie Bevan) and David (Iestyn Davies)\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-10\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_800-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. David (Iestyn Davies) and Michal (Sophie Bevan).\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-11\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_820-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. Michal (Sophie Bevan), centre, and dancers.\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-12\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_861-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. Saul (Christopher Purves).\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-13\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_959-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. Saul (Christopher Purves).\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-14\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_1029-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. Jonathan (Paul Appleby) and Saul (Christopher Purves).\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-15\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_1059-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. Front centre, David (Iestyn Davies) and Michal (Sophie Bevan) with dancers and Glyndebourne Chorus.\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-16\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_1732-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. Saul (Christopher Purves) and Witch of Endor (John Graham-Hall).\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-17\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_1793-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. Michal (Sophie Bevan) and Glyndebourne Chorus.\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-18\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_1802-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. Michal (Sophie Bevan).\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-19\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_1816-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. David (Iestyn Davies).\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-20\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_1836-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. David (Iestyn Davies).\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-21\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_1862-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"SAUL_Glyndebourne,\nDirector; Barrie Kosky,\nSaul; Christopher Purves,\nDavid; Iestyn Davies,\nMerab; Lucy Crowe,\nMichal; Sophie Bevan,\nJonathan; Paul Appleby,\nHigh Priest; Benjamin Hulett,\nWitch of Endor; John Graham_Hall,\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-22\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_1867-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. David (Iestyn Davies).\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-23\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_1889-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. Michal (Sophie Bevan).\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-24\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_1905-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. Saul (Christopher Purves).\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-25\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_2014-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. Michal (Sophie Bevan) and David (Iestyn Davies) with Chorus.\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-26\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_2076-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. Part II scene - solo organist, James McVinnie and dancers.\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/saul_glyndebournedirector-barrie-koskysaul-christopher-purvesdavid-iestyn-daviesmerab-lucy-crowemichal-sophie-bevanjonathan-paul-applebyhigh-priest-benjamin-hulettwitch-of-endor-27\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/%C2%A9BC20150718_SAUL_2088-100x100.jpg\" alt=\"Saul, Glyndebourne Festival 2015. Part II scene. Photographer Bill Cooper.\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/gareth-johnson030215\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more from Gareth Johnson<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/movies-theatre-art-and-more060315\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more arts and culture stories<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/\">REVIEW: Handel&rsquo;s Saul &ndash; directed by Barry Kosky<\/a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/\">Gay Star News<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Gareth Johnson<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/\" class=\"autohyperlink\">www.gaystarnews.com\/article\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>REVIEW: Handel\u2019s Saul \u2013 directed by Barry Kosky Attending a performance as part of the Glyndebourne Festival is more than just a night out at the opera. It is an event. Glyndebourne is recognized internationally as one of the great opera houses of the world &ndash; the festival was founded by John Christie in 1934 &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">REVIEW: Handel\u2019s Saul \u2013 directed by Barry Kosky<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2466,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[107],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>REVIEW: Handel\u2019s Saul \u2013 directed by Barry Kosky - GAYFRIENDSCHAT.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/review-handels-saul-directed-by-barry-kosky\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"REVIEW: Handel\u2019s Saul \u2013 directed by Barry Kosky - GAYFRIENDSCHAT.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"REVIEW: Handel\u2019s Saul \u2013 directed by Barry Kosky Attending a performance as part of the Glyndebourne Festival is more than just a night out at the opera. It is an event. 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