The Wish Thief
The Wish Thief
The Wish Thief
You live in a perfect town, with a perfect leader and perfect rules — what more could you wish for? Well be careful, your wishes might just come true.
RBO Youth Opera Company perform a new opera by composer Leighton Jones and librettist Jonathan Ainscough.
RBO Youth Opera Company perform a new opera by composer Leighton Jones and librettist Jonathan Ainscough.
Story
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…
Background
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.
RBO Youth Opera Company
RBO Youth Opera Company is our in-house children’s chorus of 9 to 13 year olds. We offer participants all-round training in the performing arts, covering vocal technique, language coaching, acting and stage craft, musical literacy and creative processes for developing new work. This season the company have performed in The Royal Opera productions of Hansel and Gretel and Carmen, on BBC Radio 3, and at RBO Family Sundays. Find out more on how to register your child’s interest in auditioning for the Youth Opera Company.
Cast and Creatives
Creatives
Access
For step free access and wheelchair spaces in the Linbury Theatre, you will need to book seats on the right-hand side of the auditorium.
We have an assistive listening system available to use. This opera is sung in English with English surtitles. All performances include creative captions, integrated with the set. Captions include sung text and more information on sounds in the performance.
Join our Access Scheme for priority access performance tickets and to personalise your account for your access requirements.
See our Accessibility page for more information on access at the Royal Opera House.
Donate
The Royal Ballet and Opera is a charity and relies on your support. No matter the size, every gift is critical to our work and helps us to secure the future of ballet and opera.
Your donation will enable us to keep extraordinary work on our stages, inspire the next generation and support the Royal Ballet and Opera's community of artists, technicians and craftspeople.
Culture, crafted by contribution
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)