Launch of new Scarborough opera company

A new opera company is on song to take Scarborough and the surrounding area by storm later this month.
Woodend Creative workspace. Patron Tim Tubbs and Nathan Jekins of Piccalilli Opera. pic Richard Ponter 160526Woodend Creative workspace. Patron Tim Tubbs and Nathan Jekins of Piccalilli Opera. pic Richard Ponter 160526
Woodend Creative workspace. Patron Tim Tubbs and Nathan Jekins of Piccalilli Opera. pic Richard Ponter 160526

Piccalilli Opera Company is the brainchild of Nathan Jenkins and has the support of musical theatre and dance director Tim Tubbs, who is based at Woodend, and Scarborough patron of the arts Heather Ayckbourn.

Nathan, who lives in Burniston, is in his final year at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has formed the company with opera director Rebecca Meltzer.

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“Whenever there are screenings from Covent Garden at the Stephen Joseph Theatre they sell out. So we know there is the demand there,” said Nathan.

The idea is to make opera accessible both as an art form and practically by putting it on in Scarborough.

It will also give opportunities to young performers to develop their craft.

“We want to cultivate new audiences and nurture the audience that is already there,” said Nathan.

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Nathan went to Scalby School and appeared in its productions of Honk!, We Will Rock You and Our House.

He also appeared in shows at the YMCA in St Thomas Street.

Piccalilli also plans to work with schools with workshops and performances.

It is already devising a project to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.

This will involve operas inspired by the Bard’s work.

Piccallili’s launch event is at Wykeham Church on Saturday February 20.

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There will be a reception at which people can learn more about the company. This will be from 7pm to 7.45pm. It will be followed by a performance ending at 9.15pm.

The programme includes excerpts of operas by Mozart – The Marriage of Figaro – Puccini – La Traviata – and Verdi – La Boheme.

Tickets are £12.50 or £10. To book email: [email protected]

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