Exploring the supernatural
Ahead of Enchanted Encounters, meet director and cast member Noah Humich and learn more about this immersive production.
Tell us about your role in this production.
I play two roles in Enchanted Encounters, being the director and a singer. I’m looking forward to exploring the repertoire in this production, and peaking the singers’ curiosity to create moving performances.
What is your favourite song being performed?
My favourite song has to be Erlkonig. I believe it’s the darkest song in the show, and the way we present it elevates the piece to a very dramatic place.
Why is Enchanted Encounters a great introduction to music and theatre?
I think the way we have chosen to present the pieces makes it really easy for the audience to understand what’s happening, even though some of the songs are in different languages. We put a lot of effort into lighting and sound, to make the whole show as immersive and stimulating as possible. It’s very different from other classical performances I’ve seen myself.
Enchanted Encounters is described as Songs of the Supernatural. Why is that?
The program we’ve chosen is based on one theme – ghosts. We wanted to explore all the things that ghosts make us feel, which is why the selection of songs is so broad. Sometimes ghosts are someone you loved, someone who has died, or sometimes, something that roams silently through your house at night.
What is the spookiest encounter you’ve ever had?
I get sleep paralysis, which was a major influence for this show. I often see a little girl wandering around my bedroom... Which is very creepy, but it has actually given me a lot of inspiration for this show, specifically the feeling of not being able to take your eyes off something.
What can audiences expect?
The audience can expect an exploration of heightened emotions. One of the things we discussed when we first put on this show, is what do we want the audience to feel? We want them to feel uneasy, sometimes lonely, or reflective as they hear and see the stories we present. Overall, it should be a fun ride through some of history’s most famous supernatural creatures.
West Australian Opera presents Enchanted Encounters at Liberty Theatre on 12 September. Book here
