Messiah at the Coliseum

I've just returned from the Dress rehearsal of English National Opera's staged Messiah at the London Coliseum, and can't really recommend it enough. If you are looking for a performance this is the one to choose I feel.
It's a staged performance, which means that there are actors, dancers and children as well as a 'community ensemble', and the chorus move around, but it is all very restrained and sympathetic to Jennen's libretto and Handel's music. The production, by Deborah Warner, enhances the narrative so that it seems to make more than usual sense. There is one gem of a scene in part one where a typical primary school nativity play is acted out in front of parents (the chorus) whilst a boy treble sings the 'There were shepherds abiding in the fields....' sequence. The crucifixion story in part two is most movingly portrayed
The music is directed by Laurence Cummings from the harpsicord and is fully up to the standards of the ENO. The solo quartet are of a high standard (not many Messiah soloists are expected to move and act whilst singing) and the chorus are superb, singing with tremendous clarity and expression.
For a different and meaningful take on Messiah, this is the one to watch.