English Touring Opera To Open Tour In Sheffield For First Time

English Touring Opera marks a significant milestone this spring as it opens its first season based in Sheffield, unveiling two contrasting new productions that showcase the breadth of the operatic repertoire.

The company's spring 2026 tour launches at Sheffield's Lyceum Theatre on 20 March with a vibrant new staging of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers, followed by a visceral interpretation of Leoncavallo's Pagliacci in a fresh English translation. Both productions will then tour extensively, continuing ETO's distinctive mission to bring opera beyond the metropolitan centres.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for us to announce ourselves as a permanent fixture of Sheffield's rich cultural community," says Robin Norton-Hale, the company's CEO and Artistic Director, who has provided the new translation of Pagliacci. The move to Sheffield represents a strategic deepening of ETO's commitment to making opera accessible across the country.

Director and choreographer Liam Steel returns to helm The Gondoliers, having previously garnered an Olivier Award for his 2014 production of Britten's Paul Bunyan with the company. His technicolour vision of 18th-century Venice promises the fizzing comedy and sharp social satire for which Gilbert and Sullivan's final great success is beloved. The cast features Robin Bailey and Samuel Pantcheff as the eponymous gondoliers, with mezzo-soprano Lauren Young returning as the Duchess of Plaza-Toro alongside Phil Wilcox as her husband the Duke.

The pairing with Pagliacci offers stark contrast. Eleanor Burke, founder of Green Opera, makes her ETO directorial debut with a production inspired by the tempestuous relationship between Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, exploring fame's darker dimensions and obsessive love. Soprano Paula Sides, acclaimed for her 2023 Lucrezia Borgia, takes the role of Nedda, whilst tenor Ronald Samm brings his recent West Green House Opera success to the role of Canio. Music Director Gerry Cornelius conducts what promises to be an intense 90-minute drama.

Beyond the mainstage productions, ETO's award-winning education programme reaches over 10,000 people annually. This season sees the premiere of Ada and the Code Crusaders, Anna Pool's new opera for children about mathematician Ada Lovelace, which will visit more than 25 primary schools and reach over 5,000 pupils. The partnership with Laidlaw Opera Trust has enabled this significant expansion of the company's work with young people.
The Gondoliers and Pagliacci tour from March through May 2026, visiting venues across England.

ETO’s Spring tour begins on Friday 20 March with The Gondoliers, with Pagliacci following on Saturday 21 March, with both productions touring until late May. More information and tickets can be found on ETO’s website.
Gilbert and Sullivan: The Gondoliers – 20 March – 21 May 2026
Friday 20 March, 7.30pm – Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield
Saturday 18 April, 7.30pm – Buxton Opera House, Buxton
Wednesday 29 April, 7.30pm – Storyhouse, Chester
Thursday 21 May, 7.30pm – Gala Theatre, Durham

Leoncavallo: Pagliacci – 21 March – 20 May 2026

Saturday 21 March, 7.30pm – Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield
Friday 17 April, 7.30pm – Buxton Opera House, Buxton
Tuesday 28 April, 7.30pm – Storyhouse, Chester
Wednesday 20 May, 7.30pm – Gala Theatre, Durham