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Coraline

The Royal Opera

— ,Barbican Theatre
Coraline

Fantasy and the imagination run wild in this new operatic adaptation by Mark-Anthony Turnage, a leading light in British music whose work bristles with brazen energy yet expresses deep tenderness.

Neil Gaiman has transformed the landscape of children’s literature with his highly inventive, atmospheric and otherworldly narratives. Packed with astonishing imagery, Coraline is an engrossing yarn, a much-loved story about a girl who discovers a door in her parent’s home, leading to an entirely different place and family.

Turnage chose the prize-winning novella as the subject for his fourth opera because he felt it had ‘a message well worth telling: we shouldn’t be afraid to do what we believe is right.’ Aletta Collins stages the opera for family audiences with Sian Edwards conducting the Barbican Associate Ensemble, Britten Sinfonia.

Tagged with: Theatre & dance Opera

2 hours/including an interval

Age guidance 8+

UK

Presented by the Barbican

Produced by The Royal Opera

A co-production with Folkoperan, Opéra de Lille, Theater Freiburg and Victorian Opera

The Royal Opera House would like to acknowledge generous support from The Royal Opera House Endowment Fund 

Creative Team

  • Mark-Anthony Turnage   Music
  • Rory Mullarkey after Neil Gaiman   Libretto
  • Aletta Collins   Direction
  • Sian Edwards   Conductor
  • Giles Cadle   Set Design
  • Matt Haskins   Lighting
  • Gabrielle Dalton   Costumes

Reviews

  • ‘A new opera from Mark-Anthony Turnage is always an event‘
    Telegraph
  • ‘Enchanting and creepy by turns, Coraline is a very grown-up fairy tale for all ages‘
    Guardian on the novella

Discover

photo of a child touching a wall

Watch: Coraline trailer

Watch the trailer for Coraline, the world premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s opera based on Neil Gaiman’s much-loved story.

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Barbican Theatre

Location
The Barbican Theatre is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.