More a soap opera

ROBERT KITCHIN/The Dominion Post

HITTING TOWN: The Italian Girl in Algiers opens in Wellington on Saturday with the cast including babes Kali Chote, left, Megan Corby and Renee Newport.

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A new opera production to hit Wellington is abandoning staid tradition and elaborate costumes in favour of something a little risque bikini clad "beach babes".

The director of the NBR New Zealand Opera's production of The Italian Girl in Algiers, which opens on Saturday, has promised audiences the show will feature elements "never before seen in New Zealand", including babes Kali Chote, Megan Corby and Renee Newport.

"We're giving audiences a taste of something totally new with this production," Colin McColl said. "Music aside, this opera is basically a very funny sex comedy with all the twists and turns of a daytime soap opera."

NZ Opera general director Aidan Lang said it was time the company presented a comedy.

"Though this opera does have a fairly madcap plot, it actually bears strong resemblance to everyday life. There is much to identify with in the characters and how they live their lives."

Kiwi-born London-based mezzo soprano Wendy Dawn Thompson will play the feisty lead role of Isabella.

- © Fairfax NZ News