Paul Bunyan, Royal Opera House (English Touring Opera)

Do you fancy seeing an operetta about a folkloric giant American lumberjack? Well, you should. It is a cross between an opera and a musical and has classical music that incorporates everything from folk songs through to the blues. Oh, and let’s not forget the good and bad cooks and the singing geese and cats.

After a centenary year in 2013, the revival of Britten’s lesser-known works is not over just yet. In fact, Paul Bunyan is probably the least known of Britten’s operas. 

It was a collaboration with the Anglo-American poet W.H. Auden, but still somehow got overlooked. It’s a great work that was picked up by a few British companies for the centenary year, such as the Welsh National Opera.

The English Touring Opera has a great reputation for being the leading touring company in the UK and for making opera utterly accessible. The  show will only be two hours long and sung in English. It’s going to be charming and funny and above all a great way to hear just a little bit more of Benjamin Britten, as we all know that a year isn’t long enough to celebrate such a great composer and such a rarity!

There will be a pre-performance talk at 6.45pm in the Clore Studio on all dates of this performance. The talk will be free to ticket holders, with admission on a first come first served basis. Though it’s unreserved seating and there won’t be enough seats for everyone so if you want to go to the talk, you have to make sure you get there suitably early so you don’t miss out.

SOLD OUT

Lindbury Studio Theatre

Address: Royal Opera House, BowStreet,  London WC2E 9DD  

Nearest Tube: Covent Garden