Relaxed: Rigoletto

Enjoy a performance of Rigoletto in a relaxed environment.

Designed with slight adaptations, for anyone who may benefit from a theatre experience without complete silence and darkness, this performance of Rigoletto brings you a thrilling tale of power, love and revenge.

Rigoletto lives on the edges of a society controlled by wealthy, powerful people, who look down on him because he is different. Life has made him bitter and twisted, and the only thing he truly cares about is his daughter, Gilda, whom he protects fiercely. When his anger and bravado push him too far, it sets off a chain of events that leads to tragedy for the person he loves most.

This bold, award-winning production by leading UK theatre artist Femi Elufowoju Jr is opera at its most gripping and includes one of opera’s most famous aria, ‘La donna è mobile’.

An accessible guide to the production will be available nearer the time.

Alternatively, for those looking for more traditional performances, those can be found here.

Supported by Laidlaw Opera Trust.

“a bold, innovative and purposeful re-imagining”
★★★★★ — The Telegraph

“This new take on Rigoletto really works… chillingly excellent…”
★★★★ — The Guardian

“a landmark production… spectacular…”
★★★★★ — Bachtrack

Group bookings

For groups bookings, please contact our box office on 0113 223 3600 or email boxoffice@operanorth.co.uk

Price

£22.25
Including booking fee

Venue

Leeds Grand Theatre

Start time
1.30pm

Running time
Approximately 2 hours 40 minutes

Language
Sung in Italian with English subtitles

Buy your programme in advance
Digital (£4) or printed (£6 + £2.50 postage)

Age guidance and content warning
Parental Guidance, contains some adult themes including violence against women, abduction and murder.
Act III includes flashing lights.

Who are relaxed performances for?

Our relaxed performances are slightly adapted to ensure a theatre experience that is inclusive and welcoming for all, without complete silence and darkness.

The performances are designed for anyone who would feel more comfortable in an informal atmosphere. This could include (but is not limited to) people with sensory or communication needs, people who have a learning disability, people living with dementia, and people who may need to leave and return to their seat or access the toilets during the performance. Anyone who may benefit from this adapted experience is welcome!

Find out more about relaxed performances on our Relaxed Performances page.

What to expect at a relaxed performance?

A relaxed attitude to people leaving and returning whenever they need to.
An understanding of the different ways people express their enjoyment of the show.
Bright lighting and loud noises will be reduced.
The lights in the theatre will remain on low.
Quiet spaces will be available and clearly signposted if people need a break.
There will be clear signs and friendly, trained staff available to help.
You can take as long as you need to leave the auditorium at the end, and our staff will show you where to go.
An information pack will be sent in advance with an easy-to-read synopsis and guide to the theatre.
You can ask to have empty seats around your booking.

Please note that whilst there will be fewer people in the audience than at our other performances, it’s still possible that the theatre might feel a bit busy! If you have any problems, chat to one of our friendly members of staff, and they’ll be more than happy to help.

You can contact our friendly box office team with any questions, to book your tickets or to request extra space next to seats on 0113 223 3600 or boxoffice@operanorth.co.uk

Find out more about our access offer
More accessible performances

Media

View gallery

The womanising Duke of Mantua is throwing a party in his basement – a private art gallery. The Duke mentions the women that he is eyeing up, and Rigoletto, the Duke’s jester, mocks the husbands of his employer’s conquests. He also mocks Monterone, a statesman whose underage daughter has been seduced, who fires a curse back at Rigoletto.

Rigoletto, terrified by the curse, returns to his safehouse to check on his own daughter Gilda, who he keeps hidden away. But in spite of his precautions, the Duke, disguised as a poor student, follows his Head of Security Sparafucile to Rigoletto’s hideout. He swears his love for Gilda, who falls for him completely.

Later that night, smarting from Rigoletto’s insults, a group of the Duke’s guests plot to kidnap Gilda (who they actually believe at this point to be the jester’s secret mistress). Rigoletto is tricked into assisting with the abduction and is distraught when he realises what has happened. The curse has begun…

The next morning, Rigoletto returns to the Duke’s court, desperately searching for Gilda. He tries to be nonchalant but is overcome with fear and anger, and begs for his daughter’s return. Suddenly Gilda appears, devastated. She confesses to her father everything that has happened.

Rigoletto is furious and swears he will have revenge on the Duke, but Gilda pleads for mercy, as she is still deeply in love with him. Rigoletto makes a plan for both him and his daughter to leave Mantua.

Rigoletto has arranged for Sparafucile (the Duke’s Head of Security) to assassinate his own boss. Sparafucile will use his sister Maddalena as bait in their secret lair – a location on the other side of town.

The Duke arrives and flirts with Maddalena. Gilda, who Rigoletto has brought to watch to convince her of the Duke’s true nature, is heartbroken. Rigoletto sends her away to get ready for their departure from Mantua, and then confirms the arrangements with Sparafucile. But Maddalena, hearing the plan, begs her brother to spare the man that she too has now fallen in love with. He says that unless Maddalena can find another victim before midnight, the Duke will die.

Gilda, dressed as a boy  and ready to leave, overhears and decides to sacrifice herself to save the man she still loves. She is stabbed by Sparafucile. Rigoletto returns to collect the body bag in which he expects to find the dead Duke, but when he opens it he finds his own daughter, fatally wounded. The curse has come to pass.

FAQs

Booking tickets

How do I book?

Book via the event page or call the Box Office on 0113 223 3600. Postal options are also available.

How will I receive our tickets?

You can choose to receive e-tickets or collect your tickets from the Box Office prior to the performance for free. We also offer postal delivery for £1.50.

Will we be seated close to other customers?

You can request the seat next to you to remain unsold if you feel the need to have a little more personal space. Talk to our Box Office team who can arrange this for you in advance.

Where is the most accessible place to sit?

The Stalls has flat access available and good leg room. The Dress Circle has lift access and one row of flat access, and the rest of the seating requires use of steps. Call our Box Office team on 0113 223 3600 who are happy to talk through seating options with you.

Will there be long queues?

There may be queues outside Leeds Grand Theatre, come rain or shine! It is likely to feel very busy. To avoid the longest wait times, we recommend arriving as early as possible (the theatre will open its doors one hour before the performance starts). You could also arrive closer to the performance start time, when most people will already be seated.

Are there any additional benefits for group bookings?

We offer an extended reservation period for group bookings with payment due one month before the performance and 1 complimentary group organiser ticket with bookings of 10+.

In the theatre

Will there be accessible parking or drop off points?

There are drop off points outside Leeds Grand Theatre and a variety of car parks within walking distance.
Please be aware that, being in the city centre, we are surrounded by some traffic restrictions and restricted routes!

Top tips for an easier drop off:

To be dropped-off outside Leeds Grand Theatre:
If you are travelling from York Road, take the exit onto Vicar Lane. Then turn right up Harrison Street and right again onto New Briggate.

If you are travelling from Merrion Street, follow the road until New Briggate, taking the right lane onto Vicar Lane. Then turn right up Harrison Street and right again onto New Briggate.

If you are travelling from Leeds Playhouse or Leeds Bus Station by taxi, your driver can only use The Headrow and then turn right onto Vicar Lane from 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm.

To be dropped-off outside ‘Q-Park at St John’s Centre’:
If you or your taxi driver are directed to a restricted route, use ‘Q-Park at St John’s Centre’ as your destination (5 minutes’ walk, roughly 0.20 km away). From here, follow Merrion Street until New Briggate and follow the right lane to Vicar Lane. Then turn right up Harrison Street and right again onto New Briggate.

You will receive extra travel and parking information before the show.

For further information you can view the Leeds City Centre Blue Badge Parking map and you can download the Leeds City Centre Traffic Restriction Routes Map and Disabled Routes Map.

Will we be able to navigate around the theatre easily?

There will be additional signage in our front of house areas to help you find your way around the venue more easily. There will also be friendly staff on hand if you need any extra assistance.

Will the staff be dementia-friendly trained?

Yes, all front of house staff and volunteers will have attended a Dementia Friends information session and taken part in in-house training. If you need any help, look for a member of Leeds Grand Theatre staff.

Where are the toilets?

There are accessible toilets at the back of the Stalls and Dress Circle levels.

Will there be places to buy food or drink?

Tea, coffee and ice-creams will be available to buy in both bar areas during the interval which you can choose to pre-order.

Will it be easy to follow the action on stage?

English surtitles will be displayed on large screens at either side of the stage. You will receive a synopsis in the pre-show information pack and there will be a presenter who will welcome you at the start of the performance and do a short recap before the second half.

What if we can’t sit through the whole performance?

There will be a relaxed attitude to people needing to leave or return to the auditorium during the show and designated quiet areas for a break. Low lighting will remain on in the auditorium during the performance so you will be able to see what is going on around you.