Set Designer

When Canio, leader of a theatre troupe, sees his life reflected in rehearsals for an upcoming opera, he becomes convinced that his wife is having an affair. Can Canio temper his spiralling emotions, or will his jealousy get the better of him?

Art imitates life in English Touring Opera’s new production of Pagliacci. Ripped from the headlines about a real-life crime case from composer Ruggero Leoncavallo’s own childhood, Pagliacci packs passion, melodrama and revenge into an intense 90 minutes of drama. Eleanor Burke (founder of the pioneering sustainable opera company, Green Opera) makes her directorial debut with ETO alongside ETO Music Director Gerry Cornelius.

EPSG:4326

Pagliacci

Gala Theatre & Cinema

Buxton Opera House

King's College, Cambridge

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

Storyhouse Chester

Hackney Empire

Norwich Theatre Royal

Lyceum Theatre

Hall for Cornwall

Two handsome and charming gondoliers discover that one is the long-lost heir to the throne of Barataria - but which one? In the pursuit of the truth, a bewildering series of events threaten both their marriages and their claim to the throne.

The Gondoliers, Gilbert and Sullivan’s last great success, is a fizzing comedy of mistaken identity that marries joy and chaos with a sharp satire of monarchy and class. This new production is helmed by Liam Steel, who directed ETO’s Olivier Award-winning production of Paul Bunyan.

The Gondoliers

Gala Theatre, Durham

Lyceum Theatre Sheffield

Hall for Cornwall, Truro

Set Designer

Michael Pavelka

Events

Past events

Mar 21 - May 20, 2026

Pagliacci · English Touring Opera

Mar 20 - May 21, 2026

The Gondoliers · English Touring Opera

About

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