Leamington Music brings the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire's production of Jonathan Dove's The Enchanted Pig to Warwick

Jonathan Dove: The Enchanted Pig - Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (Photo Greg Milner)

Jonathan Dove's operas are popular with conservatoires, so it is no surprise to find that earlier this month, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire presented a new production of Dove's The Enchanted Pig. Described as "a magical family show for children aged 8 to 80!",  Dove's musical tale, with words by Alasdair Middleton (based on Romanian and Norwegian folk tales), has delighted audiences since its premiere in 2006 and I well remember being delighted myself when I saw the work during its first run at the Young Vic.

The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire's production, conducted by Anthony Kraus and directed by Stuart Barker, is travelling to Warwick where it is being performed (with 10 soloists, chorus and orchestra) at the Dream Factory (Playbox Theatre’s highly valued venue on the Stratford Road in Warwick) on Sunday 25 June, presented by the enterprising Leamington Music.

As part of Leamington Music’s Education Programme, student teams will be visited schools in Warwick and Leamington on Thursday 15 June to give participatory workshops to introduce opera to children, with children and students able to attend the performance on Sunday 25 June with tickets for just £1 (An offer is available for all Leamington Music events).  

The audience for 25 June is invited to come early with picnics from 5.30pm. This is encouraged by Playbox Theatre as there is a special area with benches outside the foyer and ideal in good weather to start the evening in style. The foyer is spacious enough to use if the weather is not so good.

Leamington Music was launched in July 2006, and aims to maintain Leamington and district as a musical centre dedicated to promoting excellent music. The 2023/24 Leamington Music Winter Season starts on Friday 6 October with the Leonkoro Quartet (winners of the 2022 London International String Quartet Competition) in the Royal Pump Rooms Leamington, and on Tuesday 10 October with Ex Cathedra performing the Rachmaninoff Vespers in St Mary’s Warwick. 

Full details from the Leamington Music website.