Winning over the critics is never easy, but Mark Hathaway is set to come up against some of his toughest yet: children.
The Glasgow-based director is the man behind The Minotaur, the first ever Scottish Opera production created especially for the younger generation. In Greek mythology, the fable of the labyrinth-dwelling beast - half-man, half-bull - is one of shame and betrayal. Hathaway, however, hopes to turn it into a success story.
''It is definitely a challenge,'' he says. ''We are pitching it to such a wide age range - from young children right through to teenagers and young adults - that we have to create something which appeals to everyone.''
The Minotaur will premiere at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow, in May, and Hathaway, 40, hopes to dispel a few myths along the way. ''Not all opera singers are fat and pompous,'' he says with a laugh. ''That is one of the misconceptions I am keen to banish. I want to make opera accessible to everyone, whether they are eight or 88.''
Since studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, Hathaway has worked as an actor, opera singer and latterly a producer and director. He joined Scottish Opera 18 months ago and has been involved in several big-name productions including Don Giovanni, La Traviata and the Ring Cycle.
''I get a lot of pleasure from seeing people enjoy opera,'' he says. ''For me it is about illuminating the great issues of being a human being. It can be fun but also moving, intimate and personal. Being able to introduce that to children is particularly exciting.''
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