Shareen Campbell and Phil Saunter, owners of Los Gatos and Bistro Les Chats in Wood Street, and the Swindon Business People of the Year, talk about life in the restaurant business

The other night I put on my long black dress, pinned up my hair and dug out my sparkly handbag. Phil, sporting dinner jacket and bow tie, took the old bag on one arm and the cool bag on the other (smoked salmon, quails eggs, bottle of cava,) and we set off to the opera – La Bohème, broadcast live from the Royal Opera House.

Despite some cynical comments when the event was announced, there was a good crowd sitting in front of the big screen at Wharf Green. The promised food and drink stalls hadn’t materialised but a few had brought picnics. Sadly, McDonalds did a roaring trade.

It was a balmy evening and should have been fun. There could have been a rousing introduction from a local musical wit, a bit of crowd spirit, a programme explaining the story.

Opera is a grand and extravagant form, like a good meal – an experience, not just something to eat.

There could have been a sense of anticipation, the smell of glamour and indulgence in the air.

Kirsty Wark appeared on the screen to welcome open-air audiences around the country, but there was little reaction to her almost inaudible introduction. The sound quality was disappointing; the screen, which seemed enormous when it first went up, wasn’t quite big enough for the space.

La Bohème is a rather silly story of impoverished students singing their way through a series of unlikely events. Performed live, opera can nevertheless sweep you up in its fantasy and spirit you away to another world. Unfortunately, we remained firmly rooted in Wharf Green, surrounded by the long overdue development that is nearly Swindon but still not quite.

It’s a grand idea to bring free “live” opera to audiences across the country. Most people don’t get the chance to experience its drama, told in extravagant costumes and soaring arias.

Next time, let’s bring it more alive with a bit of fun and glamour – a warm-up act, some food, drink and a bit of dressing up. We might not be Glyndebourne, but don’t we know how to enjoy ourselves?