Longborough Festival Opera is delighted to announce the return of its popular Playground Opera project, an inspiring initiative designed to introduce children to the world of opera in an engaging and accessible way.
This year the programme will visit 14 schools across Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Warwickshire from 17th January – 7th February 2025. The Playground Opera Tour reaches over 1,000 pupils who might not otherwise have the chance to experience live opera.
Now in its fourth year, Playground Opera has become a cornerstone of Longborough’s mission to make opera accessible for all. This year’s production is a lively adaptation of Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love, reimagined as The Implausible Potions of Dr Dulcamara. Packed with humour, heart, and just the right dose of magical mischief, the story has been specially tailored to captivate young audiences and spark their imaginations.
An Immersive Experience
Playground Opera doesn’t just bring opera into schools, it immerses pupils in the art form. During each school visit, the Longborough Education Team runs hands-on workshops exploring the opera’s themes, encouraging children to reimagine parts of the story and make creative decisions. The day culminates in a live performance where pupils join the professional cast, creating a unique, collaborative experience.
Emma Campbell, Longborough’s Head of Learning and Participation, highlights the importance of these workshops:
“Our mission is to break down barriers to opera and bring it to children who may never have encountered it otherwise. Playground Opera introduces pupils to the power of music, storytelling, and collaboration, helping to build confidence, spark creativity, and expand horizons. We’re so proud to offer this experience to over 1,000 young people this year.”
Meet the Team Behind the Magic
The 2025 production boasts a talented creative team, led by Maria Jagusz as Director and Will Sharma as Musical Director. The cast features acclaimed performers including:
- Katherine McIndoe as Adina
- Tobias Campos Santinaque reprising his role as Nemorino
- Sam Young, who takes on the dual roles of Belcore and Dr Dulcamara
The creative team includes Set Designer Harry Pizzey, Stage Manager Henry Beach, and Assistant Stage Manager Adam Music, ensuring a polished and vibrant production.
A Lasting Impact
Feedback from previous Playground Opera tours has been overwhelmingly positive. Teachers have praised the initiative for its ability to engage children in music and storytelling, while parents have noted the confidence it inspires in their children. Pupils often describe the day as “the best school experience ever.”
By bringing opera directly into schools, Longborough Festival Opera ensures that children from all backgrounds can explore the joy of the performing arts. The project also fosters important skills like teamwork, creativity, and communication, leaving a lasting impression on participants.
How You Can Support Playground Opera
Longborough Festival Opera’s commitment to community engagement relies on the generous support of donors and volunteers. Parents, educators, and supporters of the arts can help by:
- Sponsoring a School Visit: Contributions can help bring Playground Opera to more schools.
- Donating: Donations of any size support Longborough’s educational initiatives.
- Attending Events: Stay connected by attending Longborough Festival Opera’s mainstage performances and community programmes.
For more information, visit https://lfo.org.uk or follow Longborough Festival Opera on social media.
Why Playground Opera Matters
The arts have the power to inspire, educate, and connect communities. Playground Opera exemplifies this ethos by bringing high-quality performances to children who may never have had the opportunity to attend a traditional opera house.
This initiative isn’t just about entertainment, it’s about building a lifelong appreciation for music, storytelling, and creativity. Through Playground Opera, Longborough Festival Opera is shaping the next generation of artists, audiences, and arts enthusiasts.
For schools, families, and arts supporters alike, this project is a testament to the transformative power of the performing arts.
Playground Opera runs from 17th January to 7th February 2025, spreading the magic of opera to the next generation. As the tour continues to inspire and educate, Longborough Festival Opera remains dedicated to its mission of making the arts accessible, meaningful, and joyful for all.
This is more than just a performance, it’s an opportunity to transform the way young people experience music and storytelling. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this extraordinary journey.
