Interactive operatic mystery for children aged 7-11 in which the audience becomes detectives to solve a case with famous opera characters as suspects.
The Big Opera Mystery opens at Leeds Grand Theatre on 1 February, and it's an interactive one. An expert thief is on the loose, and the audience has to step in as detectives to solve the case. The main suspects are some of the greatest opera characters of all time, so you'll be working through a line-up of big names from the repertoire to figure out who's behind it. It's sung in English with English subtitles, and it runs for around an hour.
It's built as a first taste of live opera for young audiences and families, aimed at children aged 7 to 11 — Key Stage 2. If you're taking a school group, there's a cross-curriculum resource pack sent out in advance to tie it into the classroom. The show is fully accessible, with audio description, British sign language, captioning, and relaxed performances. It follows Opera North's earlier production, The Big Opera Adventure.
On stage are soprano Georgie Malcolm and bass Frazer Scott, with the music played live by the Orchestra of Opera North. The production was written and directed by Jonathan Ainscough, with set and costume design by Bek Palmer and lighting by Mike Lock. After the Leeds run, it continues to the Lowry in Salford Quays, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Theatre Royal Nottingham, and Hull New Theatre.
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The Leeds season runs from 1 February to 2 April 2027. For families, tickets start at £10 for children and £13 for adults. For schools, they're from £8.50 per pupil, with one free ticket for every ten booked.
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