Divine Fire: The Story of Fryderyk Chopin and George Sand (narrator - Susan Porrett, piano - Viv McLean), The Barn, Kew

How to describe this glorious show? So much more than a recital with words; a play with music, a story in music and words.... Divine Fire defies definition.

Written by the actress Susan Porrett, Divine Fire explores the relationship of Chopin and the authoress George Sand. In a series of dramatic episodes, interspersed with mood-enhancing pieces by Chopin played by the charismatic pianist Viv McLean, Porrett takes us on a journey through the lives of these two bright but tormented stars, focusing on the period of their first encounter in Paris, up to Chopin’s final days. Theirs was a tumultuous love story, stormy and passionate, but the telling of it was not all gloom; there were roars of laughter as well as tears from the transfixed audience.

Porrett, who is a fine comic actress as well as a formidable exponent of Shakespeare and the classics, delighted the audience with her animated descriptions of life in the Chopin/Sand household; their travels, concerts, artistic friends, domestic upheavals as well as the tragic times of Chopin’s physical illness and mental anguish.

This story-telling would have made for a wonderfully satisfying evening of theatre, but McLean’s interpretation of Chopin’s music, transported the event to another level. Playing a wonderful selection of Chopin’s (mainly, lesser-known) works, McLean brought to life the musical greatness of the composer.

Dramatic and poignant, his interpretation, with its rich multi-layered colours, was outstanding. With delicate Nocturnes, fiery Scherzos, heart-rending Ballades and stirring Polonaises, McLean, never an egoistic player, became subsumed into Chopin’s personality and genius.

Carolina Bevilacqua

Divine Fire starts a year-long tour of the UK with a performance on Friday, June 3, at Lauderdale House, Highgate