Play to the Crowd is delighted to announce that Theatre Royal Winchester will now host screenings of world-class ballet and opera productions.

The theatre will screen classical productions performed by The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London –including La traviata, The Magic Flute and the festive favourite, The Nutcracker.

The theatre has already shown a number of classic movies on its big screen, which was installed in 2021, such as Dirty Dancing and Some Like It Hot; plus, screenings of award-winning National Theatre Live stage productions like The Crucible, Present Laughter and The Importance of Being Earnest. The installation of a screen marked a return to the venue’s roots – with audiences enjoying silent movies in the 1910s – and the screenings of ballet and opera performances now expand further the theatre’s current programme.

The screenings begin this winter with The Nutcracker (Tuesday 16 December), which tells of a magician who must save his nephew – who has been turned into a Nutcracker – with the help of a young girl, he meets at a Christmas party. By Peter Wright, and performed by The Royal Ballet, the production features many of Tchaikovsky’s familiar and beloved works.

Next, The Royal Opera’s La traviata (Monday 19 January) witnesses Parisian courtesan, Violetta, fall in love with Alfredo Germont and leave behind her life of luxury and freedom – only for the young couple’s happiness to be short-lived. Perfect for first-timers, Giuseppe Verdi’s opera is directed by Richard Eyre and stars acclaimed soprano, Ermonela Jaho.

Woolf Works (Sunday 15 February) is an Olivier Award-winning ballet triptych inspired by Virginia Woolf’s writings and capturing her artistic spirit. Created for The Royal Ballet, resident choreographer Wayne McGregor leads an artistic team to evoke the author’s signature stream of consciousness writing style in a work that rejects traditional narrative structures.

Peter Wright’s production of Giselle (Sunday 8 March) tells of a peasant girl who falls in love with a nobleman promised to another. Devastated, she kills herself and her spirit joins a group of vengeful ghosts. Set to Adolphe Adam’s evocative score, The Royal Ballet performs a tale of love, betrayal and redemption against a backdrop of earthly and other worldy realms.

Finally, The Magic Flute (Saturday 25 April) sees the Queen of the Night task a young prince with her daughter’s rescue. Guided by the instrument, he encounters monsters and villains on his journey. Brought to the stage by David McVicar, Mozart’s fantastical opera is performed by The Royal Opera, with French conductor, Marie Jacquot, in her Covent Garden debut.

The productions screened are performed by The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera companies based at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London. The Royal Ballet company was established in 1931 and began life at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre in north London before years of touring then finally transferring to the Royal Opera House – home of The Royal Opera company, which originated as the Covent Garden Opera Company in 1946 – at a venue which had enjoyed operatic performances for centuries.

The Nutcracker will be at Theatre Royal Winchester on Tuesday 16 December at 6.30pm; La traviata will be at the theatre on Monday 19 January at 6.30pm; Woolf Works on Sunday 15 February at 7.30pm; Giselle on Sunday 8 March at 7pm; and The Magic Flute on Saturday 25 April at 1.30pm. For more information, or to book tickets, visit: theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk or call 01962 840 440.

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