Candide

Leonard Bernstein, based on the book by Voltaire

Welsh National Opera

Venue Cymru, Llandudno

October 10 2025, 2 hrs 20 mins

Ed Lyon as Candide and Soraya Mafi as Cunegonde in Bernstein's Candide. All pics: Craig Fuller

This is certainly not the best of all worlds, but is this the best of all productions? Perhaps, but there is plenty to admire in this WNO revival of Candide, a fast-moving evening that admirably portrays Voltaire's satirical questioning.

Candide is the naive, illegitimate son of the Baron of Westphalia's sister, who accepts with little question the philosophy of his tutor, Dr Pangloss, that this is the best possible world and any attendant suffering will work out well in the end. That is until he is caught in a compromising situation with his cousin, Cunegonde and is banished from the household, following which a series of disasters sees him raising questions about the nature of good and evil - before concluding that there is little meaning and purpose in life beyond working hard and raising a family. In a series of disconnected tableaux he confronts people and situations that seem to provide a pathway to fulfilment - money, power, the search for paradise and sexual excess - but these remain illusory.

The standout performer of the production is Rakie Ayola as the narrator and Pangloss; clear and animated in both word and song. The most striking aria was Cunegonde’s Glitter and be Gay, sung by Soraya Mafi who appeared to hit the top Eb without effort. Ed Lyon is consistent and engaging as Candide throughout, in keeping with the rest of the cast members, who are active and well choreographed and convey the chaotic nature of Candide’s experience rather well.

The set is a simple affair, effectively using projections on a beaded curtain to convey the almost cartoon-like, comedic portrayal of the violent events assailing our hero. The orchestra, conducted by Ryan McAdams sets the mood with an uplifting, jaunty score.

Bernstein's operetta has picked up on the satirical nature of Voltaire's book, in which he challenges the attitudes of religion, politicians and a wealth of other topics and communicates this stinging criticism in an entirely different medium. The story resonates today; the idea that this is the "best possible world" was used to perpetuate the feudal class system, that everyone had their place, ordained by God, the rich man in his castle and the poor man at his gate. Two hundred years ago, Voltaire railed against this - but today we still have a class system and the gap between the haves and have nots is widening.

This is an engaging, entertaining production with many laugh-out-loud moments, but yet there is a profound speculation contained within that has taxed the brains of the brightest philosophers for many years. In all aspects, a strong performance.

More info here