The Enchanted Pig

“The Enchanted Pig is a magical journey of an opera,” says director Laura Attridge, “Based on a Romanian fairy tale, the story explores the different forms love can take, and celebrates love’s transformative power. Our protagonist is Flora, a princess who goes literally to the ends of the earth (and beyond!) to rescue her husband, the eponymous Enchanted Pig, from the Old Woman who has kidnapped him. On the way, she meets an extraordinary array of characters, each with something to teach her, including Mr and Mrs North Wind, Moon, Sun and Day.

The piece presents a unique and exciting opportunity for our cast and creative team. Having been commissioned and first produced by the Young Vic, the opera is a wonderful tapestry of musical and theatrical styles. The cast of eight are additionally required to play some fifteen named characters between them, as well as each playing a Chorus role.

For me, exploring the richness of the piece is proving one of the great joys of directing it, and I’m confident that it will be unlike any opera our audience has experienced before. It’s hilarious but it’s also moving and meaningful: it balances darkness and light beautifully, and it will appeal to all ages, no matter what their past experience of opera.”

Jonathan Dove’s The Enchanted Pig, with libretto by Alasdair Middleton. Director, Laura Attridge with Music Director Hannah Quinn and the HGO Orchestra.