The Royal Opera
Jakub Hrůša
Music Director Designate
Oliver Mears
Director of Opera
The Wish Thief
Sunday 13 July 2025 1pm
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.
Approximate Timings
The performance will last approximately 1 hour, without an interval
In 2022 the Royal Ballet and Opera launched an open call for new operas aimed at younger audiences. After an initial shortlisting, the Youth Opera Company were asked to select the three pitches which they wanted to see developed. From this shortlist the company selected The Wish Thief to develop into a full-length performance and have been collaborating with the creative team in bringing this magical show to stage. Placing the Youth Opera Company at the centre of this process underscores the RBO’s commitment to collaborating with young people on projects that amplify their voices and reflect the stories they want to share.
Credits
- Composer
Leighton Jones
- Librettist
Jonathan Ainscough
- Director
Victoria Briggs
- Musical Director
Patrick Barrett
- Set and Costume Designer
Rachel Baynton
- Lighting Designer
Peter Harrison
- Creative Captioner
Ben Glover
Cast
- The Conjurer
Peter Brathwaite
- The Leader
Beren Kader Fidan
- Children's Chorus
Youth Opera Company
Ensemble
- Violin
Iryna Glyebova
- Viola
Ella Beard
- Accordion
Tessa Seymour
- Pianist
Aine Mcloughlin
- Percussion
Joe Cummings
- Rehearsal repetiteur
Phoebe Chow
The Royal Opera
- Patron
HM The King
- Music Director Designate
Jakub Hrůša
- Director of Opera
Oliver Mears
- Director of Casting
Peter Mario Katona
- Associate Director
Netia Jones
- Administrative Director
Cormac Simms
Synopsis
In a town where children are sent to become model citizens, everything is pristine, ordered and efficient. Life is perfect under the watchful eyes of the town’s Council and their revered Leader – and if the endless rules ever feel a bit exhausting, people can discreetly throw a coin into the old well in the town’s park and, for a moment, dream of a different life. Not that those wishes would ever true of course! Why would anything need to change in such a perfect place?When a travelling Conjuror arrives in town, offering a dangerously different approach to life, he is driven to steal the coins from the well – and unwittingly unleashes a storm of magical chaos on the town as wishes start to come true in the most unexpected ways! With the Council Leader’s iron grip slipping and the town sliding into anarchy, dark secrets are revealed and the magic gets more and more out of control…
Guidance
Suitable for all
Children aged 0-24 months don't require a ticket but must sit on the lap of a ticket-holding adult. Children aged 2 + require a ticket.
Language
Sung in English with English surtitles. Captions and translations in English will be displayed above the stage.
Generous support from
The Youth Opera Company is generously supported by Yvonne and Bjarne Rieber
Further information
DIGITAL CAST SHEETS
We are working hard on our commitment towards becoming more sustainable and are striving for our net zero goal of 2035. By using digital cast sheets and e-tickets, we have reduced our paper consumption by over five tonnes per year. You can view our digital cast sheets on a computer, tablet or smartphone by scanning the QR codes displayed around the building using your smartphone’s camera app. They are also displayed on screens outside the auditoria. Cast sheets are generously supported by the Royal Opera House Endowment Fund.
GUIDELINES
Photography and filming are prohibited during performances in any of our auditoriums. You are welcome to take pictures throughout the rest of the building and before performances and share them with us through social media. Commercial photography and filming must be agreed in advance with our press team.
Larger bags and backpacks need to be check into our complimentary cloakrooms. Unattended bags may be removed.
Please do not place any personal belongings on the ledges in front of you.
Only bottled water and ice cream purchased from the premises can be taken into the auditorium.
If you arrive late to the auditorium or leave during a performance, you will not be allowed back to your seat until the interval or a suitable break.
Smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere on the premises.
The safety of our visitors, staff and artists is our priority. To help us provide a comfortable experience for everyone, please be mindful of others and their personal space.
Our staff are committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect and we ask that you show them and your fellow audience members respect too. We adopt a zero-tolerance approach in response to anyone who interacts with our staff or with fellow audience members in an intimidating, aggressive or threatening manner.
Support Us
We rely on your support to make world-class ballet and opera for everyone. With your donations we can ensure a bright future for the Royal Ballet and Opera, bringing communities together and inspiring future generations up and down the country.
For people, not profit.
rbo.org.uk/donate
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)