The King’s Head Theatre in Islington is London’s oldest pub theatre. It is the home of The OperaUpClose company, which is dedicated to presenting both new and classic operas in an intimate space with world-class trained singers and directors. I haven’t been there yet, but have just booked tickets to a critically acclaimed version of La Bohème which is being performed in this small theatre on just a few dates (Sun 05 June Wed 08 June, Sun 12 June, Sat 18 June, Mon 25 July, Tue 26 July)
La Bohème was the first production of OperaUpClose, and it ran for six months, sold out, becoming the longest continuously performed opera in history. It transferred to Soho Theatre for two sell-out seasons. It won the 2011 Laurence Olivier Award “Best New Opera Production” and the 2011 Whatsonstage.com Award “Best Off-West End Production”.
Reviews for Previous runs of this version of La Boheme:
“Madly brilliant… an updated, zingy translation… a fresh rediscovery.” THE TIMES ****