The Choir Boy and the Brickie

Italians, allegedly, are fanatical about three things: Opera, football and wine in that order. Devonians have altogether different priorities, with Folk ballads, rugby union and cider high on the agenda. But perhaps this is about to change; because the Opera Dudes are coming to your aria (sorry) this February.

Before the month is out, amateur renditions of “Nessun Dorma” will be ringing out from shower cubicles across the county.

“We get a lot of blokes coming up to us at the end of the show,” says Tim Lole, one half of the duo. “They say, “Hate opera. Only came ‘cause my wife dragged me. I absolutely loved it”

Tim explains, “The show is an entertainment really, with everything from swing to show tunes to slapstick comedy, but it’s that encounter with opera, having the Pearl Fishers and Nessun Dorma sung at you full blast, that people find totally irresistible”.

Tim Lole and Neil Allen, two halves of the Opera Dudes, who are touring Devon through the arts charity Villages in Action, are an unlikely coupling. Tim was a choir boy turned organist and prize-winning conductor who worked at the Royal Opera House and Scottish Opera, where he conducted The Turn of the Screw, broadcast on the BBC. Neil on the other hand, was a bricklayer.

“Neil was a builder who sang in pubs and clubs until people told him he wasn’t as good as thought he was. He got singing lessons and his teacher, Michelle Wegwart, realised he had the potential to be a very fine tenor. Aged 30, Neil sold his building business and set up a school, The Magdala Opera Trust, so that he could get an operatic training and fulfil his dream.”

Since then, Neil has sung with the City of London Sinfonia and the Orchestra of Opera North as a principal soloist, to name but two. His oratorios have included The Messiah, Verdi's Requiem and Mozart's C minor. The two tenors paired up after meeting through Neil’s teacher, Michelle, who – can you guess?- is now his wife.

At first Tim and Neil performed classical concerts and dinner evenings, but the more they chatted with audiences, and let their personalities come out, the more they realised there was scope for comedy in their show. The Opera Dudes were born.

“We’re like Il Divo meets Morecambe and Wise. Our show is very interactive and unpretentious. We always get the audience singing, but don’t let that put you off!”

The song list is a truly eclectic mix: a mash-up of Verdi, Lloyd Webber, Chopin and Elvis.

Although their natural habitat, as accomplished tenors, is the vaulting architecture of an opera house, Tim and Neil really relish the intimacy of a village hall.

“I think rural touring is amazing for both performers and audiences,” Tim enthuses. “For us, it’s a chance to test our mettle. When you stand in front of 90 people, who all know each other and you’re the newbie, you’ve got to be able to do your job. There’s no bells and whistles in a village hall. It sorts the men from the boys!”

And from the rural community’s vantage point?

“It’s a great chance to come together with friends and experience something truly transcendent. It’s only right that talented young people from EVERY postcode get that early exposure to professional talent.”

So who needs the Three Tenors when you’ve got the Two Dudes? Just don’t expect Neil to quote you on a new conservatory. He’s swapped the mortar for The Messiah and there’s no looking back.

Opera Dudes perform at:
Bigbury Memorial Hall at 7.30pm on 15th February (tickets on 01548 810 373)
Sheldon Village Hall at 7.30pm on 16th February (tickets on 01404 841 367)
Ashprington Village Hall at 7.30pm on 17th February (tickets on 01803 731 006)
Combeinteignhead Village Hall at 7.30pm on 16th February (tickets on 01626 872 266)

To browse the full programme of village hall shows organised by Villages in Action, and to support ongoing tours to Devon by international talent please visit www.villagesinaction.co.uk