Regents Opera’s immersive production of Richard Strauss’s Salome set in East London gangland
Regents Opera’s Salome at York Hall, Bethnal Green from 10-23 April 2026
Following the resounding success of its Ring cycle in 2025, the UK’s leading fringe opera company, Regents Opera, returns to York Hall in 2026 with a bold new staging of Richard Strauss’s explosive masterpiece Salome, conducted by Ben Woodward and directed by Mark Ravenhill. Performed in the historic East End home of British boxing, Salome will be one of the most exciting operatic experiences of the year.
Set in a surreal East London underworld, Salome is reimagined as a darkly comic feast dripping in gangland glamour. The audience will step into the world of ‘King’ Herod where they will witness the grisly, seductive unravelling of one of opera’s greatest female characters.
Regents Opera’s Artistic Director Ben Woodward, who directed the critically acclaimed Ring Cycle says, ‘After the monumental scale of the Ring cycle, we wanted to create something equally ambitious but more visceral – an experience that doesn’t just present opera, but immerses audience members in it. Salome is as shocking today as it was at its premiere and our production will deliver audiences directly to its beating heart.’
Director Mark Ravenhill says, ‘Having relished Regents Opera’s incredible Ring cycle, I was thrilled to be invited to direct the company’s new production of Salome – the most ferocious, intense, ‘in-yer-face’ music drama in the opera repertoire.
‘Our “site responsive” production in Britain’s premiere boxing venue, York Hall, will draw on the East End gangland history of the early 1960s. I’m particularly delighted to be joined by Aletta Collins whose incredible body of work as a choreographer will give full weight to the vital role which dance plays in the story.’
The opera is based on the provocative Oscar Wilde one-act play about a lustful biblical temptress and her tragic demise and includes the now infamous Dance of the Seven Veils which will be reimagined by choreographer Aletta Collins (It’s a Wonderful Life, The Boy in the Dress, Belfast). Set and costumes will be designed by Stage Debut Award Winner 2025 Hannah Schmidt (The Passenger / Personal Values)
The role of Salome will be shared by celebrated sopranos Kirsty Taylor-Stokes and Eleanor Dennis. They will perform alongside Robin Whitehouse and John Upperton as Herodes, and Joseph Gansert and Freddie Tong as Jokanaan. Deborah Humble and Mae Heydorn appear as Herodias, while James Schouten takes the role of Narraboth and Jessica Ouston and Natasha Elliott as the Page. The company is joined by an outstanding ensemble of Davide Basso, Howard Hutt, Jonathan Finney, Dominick Felix, Andrew Tinkler, Felix Kemp, Adam Sullivan, Annabel Bigland, Gerard Delrez and Jacob Ng.
Performance details: Regents Opera presents Salome at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on 10, 11, 18, 19, 21, 23 April at 7.30pm
Running time: 100 minutes
For tickets click here
Cast includes:
Salome: Kirsty Taylor-Stokes / Eleanor Dennis
Herodes: Robin Whitehouse / John Upperton
Jokanaan: Joseph Gansert / Freddie Tong
Herodias: Mae Heydorn / Deborah Humble
Narraboth: James Schouten
Page: Jess Ouston / Natasha Elliott
Nazarenes: Felix Kemp and Adam Sullivan
Soldiers: Felix Kemp and Jacob Ng
Slave: Annabel Bigland
Cappadocian: Gerard Delrez
Creatives:
Musical Director: Ben Woodward
Director – Mark Ravenhill
Choreographer – Aletta Collins
Set & Costume designer: Hannah Schmidt
Lighting designer – Azusa Ono