‘When the birds and the beasts go head to head the result is a joyous explosion of colour and music in the World Premiere of this collaboration between Welsh National Opera and Birmingham Hippodrome… Judging the contest were the Owls from Ex-Cathedra Junior Academy of Vocal Music, the sort of jungle Simon Cowells… Apart from the bright eyed infectious enthusiasm of the cast the contest also benefitted from the well rounded, melodic score from distinguished Welsh composer Mervyn Burtch which had everything from drama to humour and it produced a lively performance from the WNO Orchestra conducted by Ex-Cathedra’s Jeffrey Skidmore – who wore a bright blue feather head dress for the occasion.’ Read the rest of the review at www.behindthearras.com