What's On
Dame Josephine Barstow as Lady Billows. Photo credit: Robert Workman
Isabelle Graham as Cissie Woodger, Charlotte Trepess as Emmie Spashett and David Taylor as Harold Wood (l-r). Photo credit: Robert Workman
Alexander Sprague as Albert Herring and Marc Callahan as Sid. Photo credit: Robert Workman
Graeme Danby as Budd, Mary Hegarty as Miss Wordsworth, Dame Josephine Barstow as Lady Billows, Joseph Shovelton as Mr Upfold and William Dazeley as Mr Gedge (l-r). Photo credit: Robert Workman
Elizabeth Sikora as Florence Pike and Mary Hegarty as Miss Wordsworth. Photo credit: Robert Workman
Marc Callahan as Sid and Katie Bray as Nancy. Photo credit: Robert Workman
Graeme Danby as Budd and Fiona Kimm as Mrs Herring. Photo credit: Robert Workman
Dame Josephine Barstow as Lady Billows. Photo credit: Robert Workman
Alexander Sprague as Albert Herring and Dame Josephine Barstow as Lady Billows. Photo credit: Robert Workman
Alexander Sprague as Albert Herring. Photo credit: Robert Workman
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Synopsis
Benjamin Britten (1947)
New production
The famous Russian pianist and conductor Sviatoslav Richter once famously dubbed it as the ‘greatest comic opera of the century’ – and indeed Benjamin Britten’s charming chamber opera, Albert Herring is surely one of the most endearing, light-hearted and outright funny operas you will ever see.
May Day is looming, and the small town of Loxford is in turmoil. All the potential May Queens are judged to be morally unsuitable. Desperate, the locals decide a May King will have to do instead. They choose the blameless Albert Herring, from the greengrocers. He isn’t keen, but stuck firmly under his mother’s thumb, he’ll do what he is told. However, after one rum-laced lemonade at the May Day ceremony, Albert decides to take his prize money to town to explore for him himself the pleasures life has denied him so far. But how will his sudden disappearance go down in the village?
Based on a short story by the French literary wizard Maupassant, Eric Crozier’s masterly libretto about small town life is so well-observed and strongly characterised that it could stand alone as a supremely entertaining play in its own right. In Britten’s witty, imaginative and touching score it finds an ideal match.
Giles Havergal, whose wise and beautifully-judged staging of The Merry Widow was a highlight of the 2010–11 season, returns to direct a new production featuring Dame Josephine Barstow in the role of the formidable Lady Billows.
Lasts approximately 2 hours 45 minutes.
Sung in English.
Financially supported by the Opera North Future Fund
Albert Herring will be performed in the round. View the new seating plan here.
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Pricing
- Adult Ticket
- £20 - £50
Schedule
Click on a venue below to find out more information.
Comments
What you say
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What the critics say
It’s an ensemble performance, seamlessly arranged by movement director Tim Claydon to dissolve the challenges of performing in such close proximity to the audience. Each character comes alive without exaggeration or caricature. The veteran Josephine Barstow is the suitably regal Lady Billows, Alexander Sprague a quietly impressive Albert. William Dazeley and Mary Hegarty shine as vicar and schoolmistress, with Graeme Danby, Joseph Shovelton, Fiona Kimm and Elizabeth Sikora as the other village worthies. Marc Callahan’s self-advertising Sid makes a lesser impression than Katie Bray’s handsome-voiced Nancy. The children are smashingly good.
It’s a treat, in other words – you can’t imagine this piece being better performed.
The conductor, Justin Doyle, and the Opera North orchestra work wonders to dispatch Britten’s mischievous and miraculous chamber score with pungency and precision.
Justin Doyle's conducting is lithe and colourful and there is the visceral thrill of such uncommon proximity to Josephine Barstow, whose censorious Lady Billows could best be described as the parish version of her landmark performance in Opera North's production of Gloriana – the virgin queen reincarnated in twinset and pearls.
the committee of local dignitaries – Mary Hegarty, William Dazeley, Graeme Danby, Joseph Shovelton – was nicely etched. Katie Bray caught my ear as Nancy, and Marc Callahan made a sympathetic Sid. Justin Doyle conducted jauntily.
This comes very close to being the Albert Herring of one’s dreams, its teamwork exemplary. It should not be missed.
Additional Information
Cast
- Albert Herring Alexander Sprague
- Lady Billows Dame Josephine Barstow
- Mrs Herring Fiona Kimm
- Florence Pike Elizabeth Sikora
- Mr Gedge William Dazeley
- Mr Upfold Joseph Shovelton
- Miss Wordsworth Mary Hegarty
- Superintendent Budd Graeme Danby
- Sid Marc Callahan
- Nancy Katie Bray
- Emmie Charlotte Trepess
Creative Team
- Conductor Justin Doyle
- Director Giles Havergal
- Set and Costume Designer Leslie Travers
- Lighting Designer John Bishop
- Movement Director Tim Claydon
Offers & Discounts
Tuesday - Friday
- Retired over 60: £3 off
- Leeds Card Holders £3 off
- Full time students: £3 off
- Family ticket: 50% off for up to four Under 18s with each adult ticket
- Groups of 10+: 20% off plus free seat for the organiser
- Income Support, Pension Credit, JSA: £10 best available (excludes stalls)
- Disabled people: 25% off (essential carer free)
- £10 tickets (limited availability)
Restaurant Deals
We’ve teamed up with Piazza by Anthony in Leeds to offer you an exclusive pre-theatre menu. Enjoy 2 Courses for £17.95 or 3 Courses for £22.95. Please use the promotion code ‘OPERANORTH’ when booking your table online or by calling 0113 2470995. This special offer is also available without booking, simply turn up and show your opera tickets to the receptionist.
Only valid on the day of the performance your ticket is for. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.
Enjoy 20% off your bill at Sandinista (Cross Belgrave Street - New Briggate) on presentation of your Opera North ticket when placing their food order. To book a table call 0113 305 0372. Food is served till 10pm through the week with final orders at 9pm Friday and Saturday. Only valid on the day of the performance their ticket is for. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.
Just a short walk from the theatre, another fantastic dining option is The Reliance (76-78 North Street).Treat yourself to the pre-theatre menu served between 5:30 and 6:30pm, Mon - Sat. Enjoy 2 courses for £13.95 or 3 courses for £17.90. Call 0113 2956060 to book a table.
The Food Academy at Flannels have set up a pre-theatre special menu for Opera North audience members. 2 courses for £15.50 or 3 courses for £18.50, the menu can be found here and they ask that people book in advance.
Comment from Sean
Sean said ago
Lots of fun. A wonderful way in to Britten's music. Great singing, great characterisation. BUT..... I missed much of the humour because of a lack of subtitles. It just isn't possible to hear all the words, especially if you have a hearing problem.
Comment from Juliet Palmer
Juliet Palmer said ago
I went last night to see Albert Herring, being unfamiliar with Britten's music and therefore somewhat wary. What a treat! It was certainly the epitome of English village life after the war, with all its foibles and idiosyncracies. Fabulous singing and all-round production - the 'in the round' format worked particularly well. I may have been converted, and look forward to seeing more Britten!
Comment from Phil Aldred
Phil Aldred said ago
We saw Albert Herring on Tuesday last. What a treat!
Wasn't familiar with the piece, and there's no denying the music is complex, but the whole experience was wonderful. Fine voices, and the choreography... well! We sing in a local G&S society, and some of those dance steps brought back painful memories!!
A very happy evening. Thanks
Comment from Mrs Pat Jones
Mrs Pat Jones said ago
Very much enjoyed Albert Herring on Sunday. The intimate atmosphere of theatre in the round worked extremely well. Excellent production and cast, and very funny!
Comment from Una Barry
Una Barry said ago
I went to Albert Herring yesterday afternoon in Leeds. It was absolutely excellent. BUT I don't see why this production cannot go straight onto a normal stage with a little bit of adapting - just entrances and exits? I saw it at the Maltings in Snape, and whilst it wasn't the same production, it was the same forces. Opera North is as touring company, and it should be able to adapt to the majority of venues, not just those people who are fortunate to be able to travel to Leeds. The RNCM theatres in Manchester, where we performed with Kent Opera, would be ideal. Or even the Royal Exchange or the Bridgewater where they have the Manchester Midday Concerts. I just suspect there are other reasons why this production can't go elsewhere. Excellent though, well done!
Comment from Ted
Ted said ago
This was wonderfully entertaining in every respect. Some of the diction was a little indistinct in the first scene but thereafter I had no problems. It is a pity the audience didn't feel free to laugh out loud when the words and actions called for it. Those critics who said they didn't like the production were way off mark and anyone put off by their comments has missed a real treat.
Comment from Opera North
Opera North said ago
Hi, this particular production is being performed in the round, which isn't possible at any of our regular tour venues.
Comment from PT REILLY
PT REILLY said ago
That did not stop ON touring an earlier incarnation of Albert Herring to Nottingham, but what do I know?
Comment from Opera North
Opera North said ago
Hi Rachel, due to the nature of the piece we are performing it in the Howard Assembly Room as it is really too small to be performed in any of our usual touring venues (Leeds Grand Theatre, Nottingham Theatre Royal, The Lowry Salford Quays or the Newcastle Theatre Royal). We are also currently exploring options around how we might capture the production to make it available to a wider audience.
Comment from Rachel Barlow
Rachel Barlow said ago
I thought Opera North was a touring company; why is the only performance to be in Leeds? Disappointing.