Albert Herring bursts onto the stage in a witty, sharply observed new production at London's Coliseum

This delightfully offbeat coming-of-age tale is given a vibrant twist by acclaimed director and designer Antony McDonald, with conductor Daniel Cohen making his ENO debut.

Show details:

• Dates: 13th - 22nd October 2025
• Age guidance: 12+
• Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes (including one interval)
• Venue: London Coliseum, London WC2N 4ES

About Albert Herring

Loxford, 1943. A sleepy English village where virtue is closely monitored and gossip travels fast. When no suitable girl can be found to crown as May Queen, the town’s moral guardians make a radical choice: crown a May King instead. Enter Albert Herring — bashful, obedient, and utterly unprepared for the spotlight.

But when Albert’s cheeky friend Sid spikes his lemonade, the newly crowned May King embarks on a wild night of rebellion, discovery, and unexpected liberation.

Set against the backdrop of wartime Britain, this semi-staged production captures the quirks and contradictions of small-town life with warmth and humour. Following in the footsteps of ENO’s acclaimed presentations of Gloriana, Duke Bluebeard’s Castle, and Suor Angelica, this new staging brings Britten’s satire to life with style and spirit.

Britten’s score sparkles with charm and cleverness, blending affectionate parody with musical sophistication. Using the same intimate 13-piece ensemble as The Rape of Lucretia, the music dances between English nostalgia and sly modernity — complete with cheeky nods to Wagner and Victorian parlour tunes.

Showing in both London and Salford, Albert Herring is a charmingly eccentric portrait of tradition, transformation, and the joy of breaking free.