Helen Wright, musicOMH.com

Set in Spain in the early 16th Century, against severe mirror-black marble floor and cleverly movable walls, scene after scene presents the glowing colours and fantastically elaborate costumes straight from a Velázquez painting. Indeed the first stunning entrance of the heroine Elvira, motionless in a large doorway with blue light behind her, gives just that impression. When she advances into the room and the walls close behind her, so that she is trapped with her own subdued reflection bouncing off every surface, we know she is not going to have much control over her own fate. When combined with a fine cast, the visual delights of the production and some very atmospheric lighting from John Bishop, the result is a very special evening.