Young Creatives Shine in Manchester's Spectacular Opera Debut!

A group of young people have described working on the English National Opera's production of Angel's Bone at Manchester's Aviva Studios as a dream come true. This major stage production is the largest the company has put on since announcing its move to a new headquarters in Manchester city centre, set for November 2024. For many of the young people involved, this was their first time working on such a large and important show.

Connie Vincent, a second-year costume design student at the University of Salford, was one of the students who helped create the costumes for the opera. She explained that she and her team experimented with different fabrics and even used a wire brush to fray the feathers on the angel wings, making them look more realistic. Connie said, 'It's so rare to have such a professional opportunity so early in your career and, although it was scary to work with such a big company, it was also so exciting. '

Ryan Kerrigan, who is 26 and from Eccles, worked on the sound system and stage lighting for the production. He said, 'It's a bit mind-boggling but it's a wow moment every time I walk in here and I can't believe I'm working in an environment like this. ' Ryan added that the pandemic was a difficult time for him, and he feels lucky to be working on this production, especially since most theatre jobs are in London, which is too far away for him.

Angel's Bone is a contemporary opera that won the Pulitzer Prize. The UK premiere took place at Aviva Studios, a new arts centre in Manchester that cost £240 million to build and opened in 2023. The show is unique because the audience stands around a rotating circular stage, very close to the performers. Cameras follow the cast and project the show live onto four giant screens, making the experience even more immersive.

Allison Cook, who sings as a Falcon soprano in Angel's Bone, said, 'If you've never been to an opera, this is the one to try because there's moments of electronic Bjork-esque opera, cabaret, polyphony and church music. It has the atmosphere of a rock concert and I challenge anyone to come here and be bored. '

The English National Opera was told in 2022 that it had to leave London or lose its annual £12 million subsidy from Arts Council England. This led to some difficult changes, including cuts to the orchestra and chorus, and some members even threatened to strike. Despite moving north, the company will continue to perform at the London Coliseum, as well as at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and The Lowry theatre in Salford. They are also working with local groups like the Halle Orchestra and the BBC Philharmonic, as well as freelance musicians from the area.

Jennie McCusker, the executive director of creative engagement at the English National Opera, said, 'This is about us establishing a new home in Manchester and that is going to take time, so we are going to be one company over two locations. We are going to start to connect and build the workforce in Greater Manchester. ' The production of Angel's Bone will move to London later this year, and the company will also stage Einstein on the Beach at Aviva Studios in June 2027.

Many of the young people who worked on Angel's Bone trained at the Factory Academy, which was set up to teach skills in the creative industries, such as production lighting, sound mixing, and stage set design. Since 2018, the Factory Academy has trained over a thousand people from Greater Manchester. Gary Briggs, Factory International's director of training and skills, said, 'This is a massive classroom and the academy gives young people the chance to work side-by-side with arts professionals at the peak of their powers. These are opportunities that London is used to but it hasn't traditionally happened in the north. '

Reuben Rowlands, a music graduate from the University of Manchester, worked on the stage management team for Angel's Bone. He said, 'The timing of what we do is so crucial - because there's the music, the singing, the acting, as well as the set moving in and out, so it has to be down to the exact second. ' Reuben is excited that the English National Opera is now working in both London and Manchester and is committed to making productions with Factory International in Manchester.

The young people who worked on Angel's Bone are proud of their achievements and grateful for the chance to learn from experienced professionals. They hope that more opportunities like this will be available for young people in Manchester in the future.