Opera North: Susanna

Name: Opera North: Susanna
Start: 2025-11-14T19:00:00+00:00
Location: Lowry

George Frideric Handel

Fri 14 Nov 2025 7:00PM

Fri 14 Nov 2025

7:00PM

Lyric Theatre

Past event

Opera and dance combine in this story with a dark heart and strong contemporary resonance.

Susanna is the victim of two powerful, predatory men out to destroy her reputation. As society swallows their lies and public opinion turns, she holds fast to her truth. It’s a compelling story for our times brought to life in a new production by director Olivia Fuchs and choreographer Marcus Jarrell Willis, who throw a critical lens on violence against women and gender-based injustice. The piece explores the corrupting influence of power structures and the challenge of creating an inclusive and equitable society.

This collaboration between Opera North and Phoenix Dance Theatre is set against some of Handel’s most memorably melodic music, with powerful choral moments for the Chorus of Opera North as well as touching solo arias.

All performances include integrated visual vernacular (physical performance drawing on sign language, mime and theatre techniques).

Additional information

Age recommendation: 12+, contains references to adult themes including sexual abuse and bullying

Runtime: Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes, Act 1: 87 min | Interval: 20 min | Act 2 43 mins

Language: Sung in English with English subtitles. Includes elements of creatively integrated BSL

Here is more info about what to expect: there will be a deaf/BSL performer on stage who will be providing a perspective on the action. There will be no signing of the entirety of the action or words, only an interpretation of the action via a specific character's point of view. Alongside the deaf/BSL performer, the chorus will also work with visual vernacular and provide some of the narrative. It is intended that this in the round will give a unique experience to deaf audiences and potentially a new way to experience work.

Part of

Zoom in

Credits

Conductor: Joanna Soller
Choreographer: Marcus Jarrell Willis
Director: Olivia Fuchs
Set & Costume Designer: Zahra Mansouri
Lighting Designer: Jake Wiltshire