Royal Opera House premieres new work in Ipswich

Royal Opera House premieres new work in Ipswich
Pleasure’s Progress, created by Will Tuckett
A tale of sex! wigs! wags! ‘n’ bawds!

Jerwood DanceHouse, Ipswich: 18 - 19 June
Covent Garden Piazza, London: 9 - 10 July (abridged version)
Latitude Festival, Southwold, Suffolk: 16 - 18 July
Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House: 23 - 25 September
The Studio, The Lowry, Salford Quays: 22 - 23 October

Generously supported by the Paul Hamlyn Education Fund

For the first time ever, the Royal Opera House is premiering a new ROH2 commission outside of its London theatre. Pleasure’s Progress will open at the Jerwood DanceHouse in Ipswich before moving to Covent Garden and then going to the Latitude Festival in Southwold and The Lowry in Salford as part of the Royal Opera House’s - On the Road regional programme.

Assis Carreiro, Artistic Director & Chief Executive, DanceEast, said ‘Over the past few years, DanceEast’s partnership with the Royal Opera House has developed from strength to strength and we are delighted to now be hosting the world premiere of ROH2's Pleasure’s Progress, created by Will Tuckett in our new Jerwood DanceHouse. It is a brilliant opportunity for audiences outside of London to see world class dance on their doorstep and to establish the DanceHouse as a key national venue.’

The Royal Opera House seeks to make its work as widely available as possible both on the Covent Garden stages and elsewhere across the UK and beyond through its On the Road programme, BP Summer Big Screens, cinema screenings, live broadcasts, CDs and DVDs and digital activity. The On the Road programme is focused primarily in the North West and the East regions and includes touring productions, education projects and exhibitions.



Pleasure's Progress: A tale of Sex! Wigs! Wags! 'n' Bawds is the latest ROH2 work by director and choreographer Will Tuckett. A fusion of opera, dance and music, it explores the vistas and vision of the English painter, printmaker and satirist William Hogarth (1696 - 1764). Tuckett draws on material from some of Hogarth’s most celebrated work including - A Rake’s Progress, Marriage à la mode, A Harlot’s Progress and Beer Street and Gin Lane, combining Hogarth’s dark pictorial narratives with a vivid slice of historical Covent Garden. The result is a riot of stories and characters with plenty of ribald fun, bawdy language, and even some pointed observations on the human tragedies that lie beneath.

The talented cast of dancers, singers and musicians includes Laura Caldow, Anna Dennis, Matthew Hart, Matthew Sharp, Nuno Silva, Tom Solomon and Clemmie Sveaas,

With a witty and naughty libretto by Alasdair Middleton, original music by composer Paul Englishby (composer of the award-winning film An Education) and contemporary designs by Jon Bausor this new production has all of Tuckett’s characteristic flair for the unusual and inventive with a collision of styles and influences from classical singing to not-so-classical dance. Expect wit and wonder, fun and frolics and an irreverent take on the darker side of society.

Suitable for ages 15+. Contains adult themes.

Listings information:

Jerwood DanceHouse, Ipswich: 18 June at 7.30pm, 19 June at 2pm and 7.30pm. Tickets: £14, £6 concessions. Box office: 01473 295230 

Covent Garden Piazza, London: 9, 10 July at 7pm and 9pm (abridged version) Free

Latitude Festival, Southwold, Suffolk: 16, 17, 18 July.

Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House: 23, 24, September at 7.30pm, 25 September at 2pm and 7.30pm. Tickets: £19.50, £16, £13.50, £8 standing (£11 students). Box office: 020 7304 4000

The Studio, The Lowry, Salford Quays: 22, 23 October at 2pm and 7.45pm
Tickets: £14, £8. Box Office: 0843 208 6000