Lloyd Evans Lloyd Evans

Glyndebourne caters to the lower-middle classes not past-it toffs

Plus: a bold and unusual Old Vic production of an early Eugene O’Neill that zips past in 90 minutes

issue 07 November 2015
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  • The Moderate Soprano

    Hampstead Theatre, until 28 November

  • The Hairy Ape

    Old Vic, until 21 November

What is Glyndebourne? A middle-aged Bullingdon. That’s a common view: a luxury bun fight for past-it toffs who glug champagne, wolf down salmon rolls and pass out decorously on the lawn. But the reality is that it caters to those of my class (lower-middle) who want to boost their pedigree with an eye-catching essay in sophistication.

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