This February, multi award-winning actress Juliet Stevenson makes a highly anticipated return to the West End in the English National Opera’s (ENO) acclaimed operatic adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale. ‘One of the most powerful operas of the century’ (Financial Times) returns to the London Coliseum for its first revival. Stevenson joins a cast of world-class performers for this powerful and gripping opera.
In this acclaimed production of The Handmaid’s Tale opera, Stevenson will be performing the non-singing role of Professor Pieixoto who is a historian and the Director of the 20th and 21st century archives at Cambridge University, presenting a lecture in the future about the dystopian Republic of Gilead, where the opera is set.
Stevenson is known for her work across theatre, television and film. She most recently starred in Robert Icke’s productions of The Doctor (Almeida Theatre, West End and Broadway), Mary Stuart (Almeida Theatre and West End) and Hamlet (Almeida Theatre and West End). Her television and film credits include Wolf, The Long Call, The Man Who Fell to Earth, Riviera, One of Us, Atlantis, The Village, Let Me Go, Bend it Like Beckham, Mona Lisa Smile, Truly, Madly, Deeply, amongst many others.
This powerful production, composed by Poul Ruders, is based on Margaret Atwood’s seminal novel and dystopian masterpiece. The Handmaid’s Tale is set in a totalitarian state in which women, stripped of their identities and rights, are subjected to the whims of a patriarchal republic. This thought-provoking work magnifies the issues of state control and the fragility of freedom.
Stevenson will be joined on the London Coliseum stage by mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey singing the role of Offred, soprano Rachel Nicholls as Aunt Lydia, bass James Creswell as The Commander, contralto Avery Amereau as Serena Joy, soprano Nadine Benjamin as Moira, tenor Zwakele Tshabalala as Nick, soprano Rhian Lois as Janine/Ofwarren, soprano Eleanor Dennis as Ofglen, mezzo-soprano Madeleine Shaw as Rita, tenor Alan Oke as The Doctor, mezzo-soprano Susan Bickley as Offred’s Mother, tenor John Findon as Luke, and mezzo-soprano Annabella Vesela Ellis as New Ofglen.
This production has been brought to life by director Annilese Miskimmon who is known for her commitment to modern works. Returning to lead the award-winning ENO Orchestra is the acclaimed Portuguese conductor Joana Carneiro who is highly sought after for her specialism in contemporary works.
James Hurley is the Revival Director, Annemarie Woods is the Set and Costume Designer, Paule Constable is the Original Lighting Designer, Marc Rosette is the Revival Lighting Designer, Imogen Knight is the Original Movement Director and Intimacy Coordinator, Anjali Mehra is the Revival Movement Director, Akhila Krishnan is the Video Designer, Yvonne Gilbert is the Sound Designer, and the Libretto is by Paul Bentley.
The Handmaid’s Tale opens on Thursday 1 February for 5 performances: Feb 1, 8, 15 at 19.30. Feb 3, 10 at 18.30.
