Albert Herring

Surrey Opera made its Barn Theatre debut in September 2011, with an exciting new professional production of Benjamin Britten’s comic opera, Albert Herring.

This acknowledged masterpiece was both witty and musically ingenious. The Barn Theatre (only 35 mins by rail from London) was an ideal setting for this opera, with its hilarious plot that told the story of rural life in a Suffolk village. No girl was pure enough to be May Queen, so it was agreed that there was only one option - to crown someone May King. Guess who - Albert of course, the shy young greengrocer! But all was not straightforward…

Nationally respected conductor and musician Jonathan Butcher returned to his home town to conduct the opera, with a talented production team. The cast of professional opera singers was accompanied by a professional chamber orchestra.