Lighting Designer

Opera Holland Park is thrilled to present "The Yeomen of the Guard" by the renowned duo W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, in a captivating new production set to take the stage in August 2024. This Shakespearean comedy, filled with broken hearts and broken vows, unfolds in the historic setting of the Tower of London, where Colonel Fairfax awaits execution on false charges of sorcery. The plot thickens with the arrival of two strolling players, Jack Point and Elsie Maynard, setting off a chain of daring escapes, misunderstandings, and reluctant marriage proposals.

This production marks the fourth collaboration between Opera Holland Park and Charles Court Opera, directed by John Savournin, who also stars as Wilfred Shadbolt, the Head Jailor and Assistant Tormentor. David Eaton will conduct the City of London Sinfonia, bringing this intricate musical score to life. The cast includes William Morgan as Colonel Fairfax, Matthew Kellett as Jack Point, Llio Evans as Elsie Maynard, and Samantha Price as Phoebe Meryll, among others.

Performances are scheduled from Wednesday, August 7th, through Saturday, August 10th, 2024, with evening shows at 7.30pm and a special matinee performance on Saturday at 2.00pm. Ticket prices range across several bands, from the premier seats at £175 (£167 for members) to the INSPIRE tickets at £24, subject to availability. Members can enjoy savings of up to £8 per ticket. Additionally, a Discovery Matinee on Saturday, August 10th, offers a relaxed environment for newcomers to opera or those who find traditional theatre settings inaccessible, with tickets available in various categories.

This production is sung in English with English surtitles, ensuring accessibility for all audiences. Special performances include a Discovery Matinee, a Touch Tour, and an Audio Described Performance on Saturday, August 10th. Enhance your experience by booking a picnic table for a memorable evening at Opera Holland Park.

Join us for a mesmerizing rendition of "The Yeomen of the Guard," a tale of love, intrigue, and comedy, set against the backdrop of one of England's most famous historical landmarks. Book your tickets now for an unforgettable opera experience.

The Yeomen of the Guard

Opera Holland Park

### Event Description: Opera Holland Park - Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Yeomen of the Guard"

#### Event Overview
Join us for an enchanting evening at Opera Holland Park as we present Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Yeomen of the Guard," in collaboration with Charles Court Opera. This Shakespearean comedy, filled with tongue-twisting dialogue and a captivating plot, will be brought to life by the City of London Sinfonia under the baton of David Eaton. Directed by John Savournin, who also stars as Wilfred Shadbolt, Head Jailor and Assistant Tormentor, this production promises to be a memorable experience.

#### Plot Summary
Set in the gloomy Tower of London, Colonel Fairfax awaits execution for a trumped-up charge of sorcery. Phoebe Meryll, hopelessly in love with Fairfax, is just one of the many characters whose hearts are as vulnerable as the colonel’s head. The arrival of two strolling players, Jack Point and Elsie Maynard, sets the stage for a daring escape, leading to a series of misunderstandings and reluctant marriage proposals.

#### Performance Dates and Times
- **Wednesday, 7 August 2024** at 7:30 PM
- **Thursday, 8 August 2024** at 7:30 PM
- **Friday, 9 August 2024** at 7:30 PM
- **Saturday, 10 August 2024** at 2:30 PM
- **Saturday, 10 August 2024** at 7:30 PM

#### Venue
**Opera Holland Park**

#### Ticket Information
- Ticket prices range from £24 to £175.
- A booking fee applies.

#### Booking
To book your tickets, select a date and time from the options above and secure your seats for this delightful production.

#### Additional Information
For more details about the event, the cast, and the production team, please visit the Opera Holland Park website. Don't miss this opportunity to experience a classic Gilbert and Sullivan opera in a stunning outdoor setting.

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Experience the magic of "The Yeomen of the Guard" and immerse yourself in a world of comedy, drama, and exquisite music. Book your tickets now!

Opera Holland Park: Gilbert and Sullivan – The Yeomen of the Guard

Four young people, one an Olympic champion. Tangled relationships. Forbidden love, twice over. An unsuccessful assassination. An execution avoided. And a royal father who has to accept his children as they are.

EPSG:4326

L’Olimpiade

An Grianán

Lime Tree Theatre

The Everyman, Cork

Pavilion Theatre

Théâtre Equilibre

Royal Opera House

St. Patrick's College, Maynooth

Solstice Arts Centre

Siamsa Tire

Theatre Royal Waterford

Opera Holland Park is thrilled to announce the world premiere of "Itch," an explosive new opera by the acclaimed composer Jonathan Dove, in collaboration with librettist Alasdair Middleton. This groundbreaking production, commissioned in a co-production with the Canadian Opera Company, Toronto, is based on Simon Mayo’s best-selling novels, "Itch" and "Itch Rocks." The opera promises an exhilarating blend of an element-hunting thriller with brilliant operatic set pieces and profound emotional depth, featuring a sparkling ensemble cast and a captivating soundworld that speaks of dangerous treasures.

The creative team behind this ambitious project includes Jonathan Dove as the composer, Alasdair Middleton as the librettist, Jessica Cottis as the conductor, alongside a talented cast and crew who bring this thrilling narrative to life. The story follows the adventures of Itchingham Lofte, portrayed by Adam Temple-Smith, and his quest that leads him into a world of danger and discovery.

"Itch" is set to run for a duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes, including a 30-minute interval, marking a significant addition to the opera landscape with its new production and world premiere at Opera Holland Park. The opera is performed in English with surtitles, accompanied by the City of London Sinfonia, ensuring an accessible and immersive experience for all attendees.

Special performances include a Discovery Matinee on Sun 30 Jul 2023 at 2:00pm, offering audiences a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the opera's themes and production.

Critics have hailed "Itch" as a powerfully relevant and timely work, praising its engaging story that combines science, ethics, and opera into a compelling narrative. With accolades from Culture Whisper, Financial Times, The Times, and The Telegraph, "Itch" is celebrated for its expert scoring, clever storytelling, and its role as an exciting new element in the opera world.

Don't miss the chance to experience this thrilling world premiere. Watch the trailer, explore special performances, and secure your tickets for an unforgettable operatic adventure with "Itch" at Opera Holland Park.

Itch

**Rigoletto 2023 at Opera Holland Park**

Join us for a riveting production of Giuseppe Verdi's "Rigoletto" this season at Opera Holland Park. This propulsive tragedy, centered on themes of toxic masculinity and unfettered power, unfolds with breathtaking speed. Witness the story of Rigoletto, a court jester, as he desperately tries to protect his daughter, Gilda, from the corrupt court of Mantua and its pleasure-seeking Duke. The opera takes a dramatic turn when Gilda falls for a young student, not knowing his true identity as the Duke in disguise. Verdi's brilliant score masterfully contrasts light-hearted seduction with the dark, stormy forces of nature and humanity.

**Event Highlights:**
- **Opening Celebrations:** Kick off the 2023 Season with us on Tuesday, 30 May, and Thursday, 1 June. Enjoy complimentary prosecco between 5.30 - 6.30 pm on both days.
- **Creative Team:** Directed by Cecilia Stinton, with Lee Reynolds as conductor, and featuring a talented cast including Stephen Gadd as Rigoletto, Alison Langer as Gilda, and Alessandro Scotto di Luzio as the Duke of Mantua.
- **Running Time:** 2 hours 45 minutes, including a 30-minute interval.
- **Special Performances:** Free prosecco from 5.30 pm on the opening nights (30 May and 1 June 2023).
- **Enhance Your Visit:** Pre-order a picnic box from Il Portico for £59 for two, offering a selection of classic Italian and modern Mediterranean dishes.

**Booking Information:**
- **Monday Rush Tickets:** Available at £40/£15. 
- **Picnic Tables:** Enhance your experience by booking a picnic table for your visit.
- **Surtitles:** Presented in Italian with English surtitles.
- **Accompaniment:** Featuring the City of London Sinfonia and the Opera Holland Park Chorus.

Described as "the most memorable of recent Rigolettos" by The Telegraph and praised for its "convention-busting production with a female gaze" by The Evening Standard, this production promises to be an unforgettable experience.

**Join Us:**
Celebrate the power of opera under the summer sky at Opera Holland Park. Book your tickets now and be part of a season that promises enchantment, drama, and the unmatched beauty of live performance.

Rigoletto 2023

In disguise, whilst searching for his next victim, King Ouf encounters Lazuli who is heartbroken over a lost love.  After a heated exchange, the king sentences Lazuli to death only to be thwarted by the royal astrologer Siroco, whose predictions reveal Lazuli’s fate is closely linked to the king’s own mortality.  Consequently, Lazuli is spared and lavished with luxuries, but remains closely watched as he plots to win the heart of Laoula, the woman he loves.

Chabrier: L’étoile

RNCM (Royal Northern College of Music)

Step into the eccentric and quirky world of Emmanuel Chabrier’s L’étoile, an opéra bouffe bursting with wit, satire, and fantastical music.  First performed in 1877, this opera unfolds in a fictional kingdom where King Ouf I, notorious for celebrating his birthday with a public execution, meets his match in the spirited peddler Lazuli.

Jake Wiltshire

Lighting Designer

Events

Upcoming events

8 - 11 Dec, 2024

Chabrier: L’étoile · Royal Northern College of Music

Dec 14, 2024

Chabrier: L’étoile · Royal Northern College of Music

Past events

7 - 10 Aug, 2024

The Yeomen of the Guard · Opera Holland Park

7 - 10 Aug, 2024

Opera Holland Park: Gilbert and Sullivan – The Yeomen of the Guard · City of London Sinfonia

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