How the Whale Became, Royal Opera House

Have you ever wondered why whales are so big? Or why polar bears have white coats? This production, inspired by the late Poet Laureate Ted Hughes’ magical children’s stories, will give you some whimsical answers. 

From the early 1960s until 1995, Hughes wrote tales about how animals found their form and God’s struggle to understand what he had created, brought together in a single volume: The Dreamfighter and Other Creation Tales. How Hughes would have enjoyed seeing his stories come alive at Covent Garden.

This exciting new family opera follows the revival of Benjamin Britten’s well-loved children’s operas to mark the centenary of his birth. The Royal Opera House has commissioned big names for this one: Julian Philips, Glyndebourne Opera’s first ever Composer in Residence and an honorary fellow of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, to compose the music, and Edward Kemp, Artistic Director of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, to write the libretto. 

Natalie Abrahami, Associate Director at the Young Vic, and award-winning designer Tom Scutt will transform the Linbury Studio into a magical world, which is likely to captivate young audiences this Christmas. And whilst Philips’ music is modern, this production is aimed at all ages so shouldn’t be too challenging. The Opera House promises that children aged five upwards will be “engrossed and delighted”.

There are only a few seats left at most of the Saturday performances so, if you are planning a weekend outing, book now. We think this could become a bit of a cult opera. 

Ticket price: £7 to £25

Address and map: Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD

Nearest Tube station: Covent Garden