— Extraneous theatrics are abandoned and human relationships come to the forefront, helped by Raphaé Memon’s fine minimalist designs — MARK RONAN, THE TELEGRAPH

— Polyeucte is a fine show, terrific singing and great drama. And beautifully designed. You won’t see it again in a hurry — DAVID GLYNN

— There was a stark elegance to Raphaé Memon’s set design of mobile black panels against a coloured backdrop — YEHUDA SHAPIRO, OPERA

— Polyeucte covers a lot of musical, atmospheric and scenic ground…a memorable evening of great ambition — ROBERT THICKNESSE, OPERA NOW

Polyeucte was represented in the exhibition Staging Places - UK Design for Performance 2015-2019 at the Prague Quadrennial (June 2019) and at the V&A (Nov 2019 to Mar 2020). Polyeucte won Best Design in the Arts Colours Awards in Cafe de Paris, London (May 2018).

Based on the Corneille play ‘Saint Polyeuctus’, which had previously inspired Donizetti, it tells a tragic story of Christian martyrdom in defiance of the all-powerful Roman Empire. Thomas Guthrie, who amongst other things has worked on important revivals at the Royal Opera House, directs this grand opera in an imaginative modern-dress production.

Performances from 19 – 24 March 2018 at Theatre Royal Stratford East, London

UCOpera

Conductor | CHARLES PEEBLES

Director | THOMAS GUTHRIE

Set & Costume Designer | RAPHAÉ MEMON

Lighting Designer | ALEX FOREY

Images © Teo Della Torre & Mishaal Memon