La Boheme *** TNT

If you’ve always wanted to test out the appeal of opera but have been scared off by the prospect of a hefty dent to your wallet and an evening of serious singing in a language you don’t understand, head for Dean Street where OperaUpClose’s bang up to date production of Puccini’s classic 1896 tale of love among impoverished Parisian artists in the 1830’s is packing in the crowds.

Robin Norton-Hale’s contemporary, colloquial, new version began life above a 50-seater pub in Kilburn, but this relocation to Soho fits nicely into the larger theatre’s amenities – with the audience transferring to the bar along with the cast (and a scattered chorus) when struggling writer Rodolfo takes Ukrainian cleaner Mimi (she makes fabric flowers in her spare time) to join his flatmates – aspiring artist Marcello, penniless musician Schaunard and philosophy post grad Colline - for a Christmas Eve drink.

Outside in the street, passersby stare curiously through the windows as Musetta (Marcello’s on-off girlfriend) takes her elderly admirer, lawyer Alcindoro, for a financial ride, flouncing provocatively along the tables as she sings. Despite Mimi’s ominous cough, there’s more laughter than tragedy in a lively production which really does make opera accessible to the masses.

There’s more than one cast (to keep up with the strains of delivering these demanding operatic roles) but just a busy Andrew Charity accompanying them all on the piano, and although, on the night I went, there was the occasional struggle to hit and sustain the notes, this is a fun, accessible evening, enthusiastically applauded by an appreciative audience.

Soho Theatre, Dean Street, W1D 3NE (020 7478 0100) Tube: Tottenham Court Road tube
www.sohotheatre.com Until 4th Sept £15-£25