Menotti was ahead of his time when he wrote The Telephone in 1947; perhaps he could foresee the modern curse of the mobile phone. In Opera Anywhere’s production, which opened last week at Oxford Castle’s 03 Gallery, the action is set in a Vodafone store, and it is Lucy’s constant chattering on her mobile phone that drives her lover, Ben, to distraction. Danae Pallikaropoulos (pictured), playing Lucy, captures the characteristics of the obsessive mobile phone user to perfection; we’ve all had the displeasure, I’m sure, of sitting opposite a ‘Lucy’ on the bus or train. Likewise, Henry Deacon (pictured) was spot on as the would-be fiancé, whose frustration at not being able to speak without being interrupted by the phone makes him resort to the only avenue left open to him – he phones her up himself. Both Deacon and Pallikaropoulos sing Menotti’s bubbling score in fine style, with a wonderful appreciation of the opera’s comedy.

The Medium is, of course, a stark contrast; there is little comedy in this perfectly-crafted opera, with its lethal cocktail of deception and cruelty. In this production, the tension builds effectively throughout as the piece moves inexorably towards its terrifying climax. Vanessa Woodward is compelling, both vocally and dramatically, as Madame Flora, the fake medium who preys on grieving parents and eventually gets caught up in her own deceit. Iain Carter offers an equally gripping portrayal of her adopted son, the mute orphan Toby, while Leonie Cormack sings strongly and movingly as Monica, Madame Flora’s daughter and reluctant accomplice. There are also convincing performances from Henry Deacon, Rosalind West and Melanie Sanders as the parents conned into believing they are being visited by their dead children.

Opera Anywhere has already established an enviable reputation for small-scale opera; with this double bill, they have set themselves a new benchmark in excellence. If you missed it in Oxford, you can catch it on Saturday at the Unicorn Theatre, Abingdon. Box office: 01865 735910.