ROH Celebrates International Women's Day

Women have always played a key role in the arts, but their contribution has often gone unnoticed. This year, though, the Royal Opera House marks International Women's Day on 8th March with a series of events spread over two weeks celebrating women's participation in the performing arts at all levels on stage and backstage.

.Here's a list of the key events:

-– Colliding Forces: Mothers in Ballet – 5 March, 19:45 in the Clore Studio. Tickets £20


Still from Colliding Forces: Mothers in Ballet, dir. Eliza Schroeder
A new film directed by Eliza Schroeder explores the experiences of dancers who are also mothers, and the challenges of navigating their careers alongside motherhood. For more details and to book click here

–– Women in Technical Theatre – 8 March, 12:30 in the Crush Room – a free ticketed event
This is a panel discussion that will focus on the challenges and opportunities for women working in technical roles in theatre. It will be led by ROH Director of Technical, Production & Costume, Emma Wilson MBE. For more details and tickets click here

–– The Diva and The Hag: a discussion of ageism in opera – 8 March, 14:30 in the Crush Room. Tickets: £5
Hosted by the ROH's Engender Network, this event explores how to challenge sexism and ageism in opera, as well as how to ensure a fully inclusive future for all women working on the ROH stages. It's chaired by Faith Jennett and the panel consists of writer and campaigner Nicky Clark, and actor Rose Knox-Peebles. Tickets will be available soon.

–– Giant – 8 to 15 March at 19:45 (Sat mat at 14:30) in the Linbury Theatre. Tickets: £11-£50
This radical new opera by Sarah Angliss with a libretto by Ross Sutherland has its world premiere on International Women's Day, directed by Sarah Fahie.


Giant. Photo: Marc Brenner
Giant tells the true story of surgeon John Hunter and his obsession with Charles Byrne, the 18th-century 'Irish giant' who was betrayed in the name of science. For more details and tickets click here

–– California Connections: Three Pioneering Women – 21 & 22 March at 19:45 (Fri mat at 14:00) in the Linbury Theatre. Tickets: Returns only.
The Royal Ballet presents the London premiere of a mixed programme, performed by Yorke Dance Project, that celebrates female dance trailblazers Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham and Bella Lewitzky. The programme also includes a world premiere by Yolande Yorke-Edgell which was fittingly created in California. For more details click here