PRESS
The strongest vocal performances of the evening came from Dafydd Allen as La Rose, with mellow tone and great comedic gusto throughout,
— Nicks Classical Notes 2024
But easily the most impressive, and absorbing, of the four characters, was the Frenchman, La Rose (Dafydd Allen), particularly eager to be the one who carries off the lady ('A la charmante' ... 'Ah, monsieur') whose exquisite delivery and truly beguiling voice and attractive lucid delivery sparkled above all else. This was a voice, and a personality, which shone at every juncture. Superb character, irresistible features, and real beauty. Another triumph for Bampton, especially as, due to a mishap, he was only recruited a fortnight before the staging. You'd never have guessed it; every move and gesture fitted the story.
-Classic Music Daily 2024
“For me, the star of the show was WNO Associate Artist, baritone Dafydd Allen. Allen was wonderfully charismatic, and his singing added a narrative element often missing in orchestral concerts which can leave audiences feeling a little lost.
Besides his spectacular voice, Allen was incredibly emotive – I spent several of his numbers thinking about which starring roles in musical theatre I hoped he will one day play.
There was something very heart-warming about the elements of audience interaction throughout the evening. When Allen greeted us with “good evening”, the audience responded with a polite “good evening” as if we were passing each other in the street.”
— VOICE FM 2022
“Performances by Rhydian Jenkins and Dafydd Allen as the two friends Sergei and Boris, the primary initiators of the pushback against the bureaucratic abuse (and the protagonists of their respective romantic sub-plots) must be mentioned as stand-outs”
- ARTS SCENE IN WALES 2022
“Boris and Sergei, exuberantly sung and performed by Dafydd Allen and Rhydian Jenkins, bemoan their lack of luck in love”
- MORNING STAR 2022