The Royal Opera
Music Director
Jakub Hrůša
Director of Opera
Oliver Mears
Last Days
Based on the film Last Days written and directed by Gus van Sant and produced by HBO Films
Cast sheet
Thursday 18 December 2025
|
7.45pm
The 12th performance by The Royal Opera at the Royal Opera House.
Please note that casting is subject to change up until the start of the performance. Please continue to check the website for the most up-to-date information.
A co-commission with Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Approximate timings
The performance lasts approximately 1 hours and 30 minutes with no intervals.
Credits
Composer
Oliver Leith
Librettist and Art Director
Matt Copson
Co-directors
Anna Morrissey, Matt Copson
Set designer
Grace Smart
Costume Designer
Nat Turner
Lighting designer
Prema Mehta
Sound Design
Sound Intermedia
Performed by arrangement with Faber Music, London
Cast
Blake
Jake Dunn
Housemate
Edmund Danon
Delivery Driver / Housemate
Mimi Doulton
Groundskeeper
Sion Goronwy
Private Investigator
Jimmy Holliday
MORMONS / HOUSEMATES
Kate Howden, Zahid Siddiqui
Magician
Henry Jenkinson
Superfan
Faustine de Monès
replaces Patricia Auchterlonie
Trip (Blake's Manager)
Pre-recorded role
Cole Morrison
Opera singer
Pre-recorded role
Caroline Polachek
Due to illness, Patricia Auchterlonie has withdrawn from performing the role of Superfan. Faustine de Monès will sing the role from the pit, and Talia Stern will walk the role on stage.
Music credits
Conductor
Naomi Woo
Orchestra
12 Ensemble
Orchestra
GBSR Duo
12 Ensemble
Co-Artistic Directors
Eloisa-Fleur Thom, Max Ruisi
Musicians
Eloisa-Fleur Thom, Alessandro Ruisi, Oliver Cave, Venetia Jollands, Luba Tunnicliffe, Matthew Kettle, Max Ruisi, Peteris Sokolovskis, Toby Hughes
GBSR Duo
Percussionist
George Barton
Pianist
Siwan Rhys
Production credits
Audio Describers
Ayza Akhtar and Alice Gilmour
Linbury Theatre
Synopsis
Blake, a successful musician, has recently escaped rehab to return home...
Blake, a successful musician, has recently escaped rehab to return home. The safety of his house is soon disrupted by a slew of unwelcome guests – an insistent delivery worker, a pair of Mormons on a mission, a chorus of scrounging friends and the ominous figure of the property’s groundskeeper. Matters are made worse by the never-ending phone calls from his Manager and presence of a Private Investigator and Superfan stalking nearby. Blake responds by hiding and disassociating from his surroundings.
As the chaos around him reaches an apex, a ghostly apparition of a magician appears before Blake, offering him a way out – in the form of a bullet. Blake is left alone – at last – with nothing to confront but himself. Realising he is existentially trapped, he chooses to end it all, and with his death the last days are over.
Guidance
Suitable for ages 16+
This production contains swearing, depictions of drug use and themes of suicide. Flashing lights, haze and smoke are used throughout. There will be a 45 second blackout towards the very end of the show.
Language
Sung in English with English surtitles, which are displayed on screens above the stage and around the auditorium.
Further information
DIGITAL CAST SHEETS
GUIDELINES
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