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'Working on an opera is a dream come true for us'

Richard SteadNorth West
BBC Photograph of Connie Vincent, who is a student at the University of Salford. She is pictured close to the piazza at MediaCity in Salford, with offices in the background.BBC
Connie Vincent is a second-year costume design student at the University of Salford

A group of young people have described working on a major stage production by the English National Opera at Manchester's Aviva Studios as a "dream come true".

Angel's Bone is the company's largest production since it committed to relocating to a new headquarters in Manchester city centre in November 2024.

Ryan Kerrigan, from Eccles, who worked on the state of-the art sound system and stage lighting, said: "Its a bit mind-boggling but its a wow moment every time I walk in here and I can't believe I'm working in an environment like this.

The 26 year-old, who went to St Patrick's RC High School in Salford, added: "Covid was a really hard time for me but to be working on this production is a real blessing because a lot of the theatre jobs are in London and that's too far for me."

Tristram Kenton Press photograph of Angel's Bone at the Aviva Studios in Manchester. The image shows the cast on stage, a mobile camera and a giant screen in the background. Tristram Kenton
The UK premiere of the contemporary opera Angel's Bone took place at the Aviva Studios in Manchester

Angel's Bone is Pulitzer-prize winning opera produced by the ENO, in collaboration with Factory International and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

The UK premiere of the opera has taken place at the Aviva Studios, a flagship £240m arts centre which opened in Manchester city centre in 2023.

During the production, the audience stands around a rotating circular stage, within touching distance of the performers, and the cast are followed by cameras which are used to project the show live on to four giant screens.

Allison Cook, who sings as a Falcon soprano in the production of Angel's Bone, said: "If you've never been to an opera, this is the one to try because there's moments of electronic Bjork-esque opera, cabaret, polyphony and church music.

"It has the atmosphere of a rock concert and I challenge anyone to come here and be bored."

Photograph of sound Ryan Kerrigan from Eccles. He is pictured backstage at the Aviva Studios in Manchester.
Ryan Kerrigan, from Eccles, worked on the sound system and stage lighting

In 2022, the English National Opera was told to leave London or face losing its annual £12m subsidy from Arts Council England.

The upheaval led the company to make cuts to its orchestra and chorus, whose members threatened strike action over changes to their contracts.

Despite the move north, they will continue to perform at the London Coliseum as well as at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and The Lowry theatre in Salford.

The company is also working with Manchester-based outfits like the Halle Orchestra and the BBC Philharmonic, as well as local freelance musicians.

Tristram Kenton Press photograph of the opera singer Allison Cook. She is pictured on stage in English National Opera's production of Angel's Bone. The image shows the cast on stage, a mobile camera and a giant screen in the background. Tristram Kenton
Allison Cook, on stage in English National Opera's production of Angel's Bone

Jennie McCusker, the executive director of creative engagement, said: "This is about us establishing a new home in Manchester and that is going to take time, so we are going to be one company over two locations.

"We are going to start to connect and build the workforce in Greater Manchester."

The production of Angel's Bone will move to London later this year, and the group will also be staging a production of Einstein on the Beach at the Aviva Studios in June 2027.

Photograph of Jennie McCusker from the English National Opera. She is pictured in the foyer at the Aviva Studios.
Jennie McCusker is executive director of creative engagement at the English National Opera

Reuben Rowlands, a graduate in music from the University of Manchester and a member of the stage management team, said: "The timing of what we do is so crucial - because there's the music, the singing, the acting, as well as the set moving in and out, so it has to be down to the exact second."

The 28 year-old added: "Its so exciting for me that English National Opera are now dual-location and have committed to making productions with Factory in Manchester."

Photograph of Reuben Rowlands, who is working on Angel's Bone. He is pictured in front of musical instruments at the Aviva Studios.
Reuben Rowlands is part of the stage management team working on Angel's Bone

Connie Vincent, 21, a second-year student at the University of Salford, told BBC Radio Manchester how she helped to design the costumes.

"We experimented with different fabrics and used a wire brush to fray the individual feathers on the wings of Angels," she said.

"It's so rare to have such a professional opportunity so early-on in your career and, although it was scary to work with such a big company, it was also so exciting."

Tristram Kenton Press photograph of Angel's Bone at the Aviva Studios in Manchester. The image shows the cast on stage wearing angel constumes, a mobile camera and two giant screens in the background.Tristram Kenton
Students from the University of Salford helped to make the costumes for the show

Many of the young people who worked on the production of Angel's Bone have completed courses at the Factory Academy, which was created to teach skills in the creative industries such as production lighting, sound mixing and stage set design.

Since it launched in 2018, the Factory Academy has trained over a thousand people who live in Greater Manchester.

Gary Briggs, Factory International's director of training and skills, said: "This is a massive classroom and the academy gives young people the chance to work side-by-side with arts professionals at the peak of their powers.

"These are opportunities that London is used to but it hasn't traditionally happened in the north".

Photograph of Gary Briggs from Factory International. He is pictured in front of seats, inside the theatre, at the Aviva Studios in Manchester.
Gary Briggs is director of training and skills at Factory International