Worthing welcomes OperaCocktail

The OperaUpClose company brings its summer tour of the acclaimed production, OperaCocktail to Worthing’s Connaught Theatre on Sun 13 July (2.30 pm).  

Set against the backdrop of a summer's day picnic, OperaCocktail follows five friends navigating the complexities of life and love. The production features a dynamic selection of arias and ensembles from renowned composers such as Puccini, Mozart, Verdi, Bizet, and more.  

OperaUpClose Artistic Director and Director of OperaCocktail, Flora McIntosh, said: “Following a brilliant reception across the country this summer, OperaUpClose are so excited to be bringing a little operatic magic to Worthing. This fresh, English language take on classics will delight avid opera fans and newcomers alike - a wonderful way to discover opera through a delightful, accessible cocktail of music, friendship and love.”

This vibrant, one-hour performance offers a fresh take on beloved opera classics, presented in sparkling English translations and infused with modern sensibilities. Opera lovers and curious newcomers alike can look forward to iconic pieces like the Habanera from Carmen, the Drinking Song from La Traviata, and Send In The Clowns from Sondheim's A Little Night Music.

This is part of a national tour, culminating in September, which sees OperaUpClose perform on the Isle of Wight and in London, continuing their mission to make opera accessible and bring high-quality productions to both traditional theatres and unconventional spaces. The ensemble cast features some of the UK's brightest talents, with performances by:

1. Felicity Buckland as Carmen (Mezzo)

2. Elinor Jane Moran as Tanya (Soprano)

3. Brenton Spiteri as Freddie (Tenor)

4. James Longford as Joe (Piano)

5. Hannah Shilvock as Lenny (Clarinet)
    

OperaUpClose is an award-winning national touring opera company with storytelling, innovation and partnership at its heart. Intimate in scale, mighty in impact, the scale of our work is always an active artistic choice, giving all performers equal agency as storytellers, challenging audience expectations and making a vital contribution to the sustainability and evolution of the sector across the UK.  

Worthing Theatres and Museum is a unique arts and heritage charity with four theatres, a cinema, a museum and gallery, all positioned within the heart of Worthing in West Sussex. Thier extensive portfolio of venues, includes the Connaught Theatre, Studio and Cinema, Pavilion Theatre, Assembly Hall, and Museum and Gallery, brings the best theatre, music, dance, exhibitions, film, and educational opportunities to the local community.

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OperaUpClose’s OperaCocktail comes to Worthing’s Connaught Theatre on Sun 13 July (2.30 pm) 2025

www.operaupclose.com/operacocktail

All images by Alex Brenner

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