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OPEN DAY

SUNDAY 9 SEPTEMBER

The Grand Theatre opens its doors both front and back stage from 11am to 4pm on Sunday 9th September. Lots of activities are available (more information below) or you can just enjoy wandering around this beautiful Victorian building and find out more about Phase 2 of its Transformation. There is no need to book though places may be limited for some activities just because of space.

Tim Albery on The Fortunes of King Croesus
At 12.30pm, director Tim Albery and designer Leslie Travers will talk through the story, set design and costumes for our British premiere of The Fortunes of King Croesus (by Keiser).

Madama Butterfly cover rehearsal
From 11.15am until 12.30pm you can be a fly on the wall of a Madama Butterfly cover rehearsal and get a sneak preview of the set on stage. We engage singers to ‘cover’ the major roles in an opera, should a member of the cast be unable to perform. The covers have to be ready to step into the role at short notice and so have to be fully prepared in just the same way as the cast.

More on Pinocchio
Find out more about our world premiere of Jonathan Dove’s new opera for everyone, Pinocchio. We will have a room devoted to this new production with giveaways and a competition.

Family Workshops
Workshops for any age will run throughout the day from Opera North and Northern Ballet Theatre.

Tours and Phase 2
Backstage tours will take place throughout the day and you can find out more about Phase 2 of the theatre’s Transformation.

Other activities
At 11.30am David Nixon, Artistic Director will talk about Northern Ballet Theatre’s production of Nutcracker. There will also be a children’s trail and other activities for children, a costume display and refreshments will be available all day.

Where and when

Harewood Studio

11.30am NBT family workshop

1pm Opera North family workshop

2.30pm Opera North family workshop

Stage

11am-12.30pm Madama Butterfly cover rehearsal

Large Studio

11.30am David Nixon talks about Nutcracker and gives a preview of the set and costumes

12.30pm Tim Albery and Leslie Travers talk about The Fortunes of King Croesus and give a preview of the set and costumes

1.30pm NBT family workshop

2.50pm NBT family workshop

Arnold Laver/Yorkshire Post bars

Find out more about Pinocchio

The Grand Hall

Transformation Phase 2 presentations all day

Opportunities to support Opera North and NBT

Programmes and sign-up sheets will be available on the day. Voluntary donations on entry.

Other Open Days
Opera North has joined forces with Leeds Grand Theatre and Northern Ballet Theatre to present this Open Day alongside other arts organisations in the city for the national Heritage Open Days weekend. From 6 – 9 September you could take a tour of the Grand Theatre, the West Yorkshire Playhouse, the City Varieties, Leeds Town Hall and Carriageworks! Find out more at the official website www.heritageopendays.org.