A new opera performed by RBO Youth Opera Company

About the Project

In 2022 the Royal Ballet and Opera launched an open call for new operas aimed at younger audiences . After an initial shortlisting, the Youth Opera Company were asked to select the three pitches which they wanted to see developed. From this shortlist the company selected The Wish Thief to develop into a full-length performance. This collaboration brought together the young singers with a professional creative team - including two professional opera singers - to create a very special production. Placing the Youth Opera Company at the centre of this process underscores the RBO’s commitment to collaborating with young people on projects that amplify their voices and reflect the stories they want to share. The Wish Thief was presented in the Linbury Theatre 12-13 July 2025.

The Story

In a town where children are sent to become model citizens, everything is pristine, ordered and efficient. Life is perfect under the watchful eyes of the town’s Council and their revered Leader – and if the endless rules ever feel a bit exhausting, people can discreetly throw a coin into the old well in the town’s park and, for a moment, dream of a different life. Not that those wishes would ever true of course! Why would anything need to change in such a perfect place? 

Creative Team

Composer - Leighton Jones  The Conjurer - Peter Brathwaite 

Librettist - Jonathan Ainscough  The Leader - Beren Kader 

Director - Victoria Briggs  Children's Chorus - RBO Youth Opera Company 

Musical Director - Patrick Barrett  Violin - Iryna Glyebova 

Set & Costume Designer - Rachel Baynton  Viola - Ella Beard 

Lighting Designer - Peter Harrison  Cello - Tessa Seymour 

Creative Captioner - Ben Glover  Accordion - Aine Mcloughlin 

Creative Producer & Head of Opera L&P - Tom Floyd  Percussion - Fran Lombardelli 

Producer & Youth Opera Programme Manager - Sophie Steers  Pianist - Joe Cummings 

Youth Opera Vocal Lead - Jennifer Begley  Rehearsal Repetiteur - Phoebe Chow 

Production Manager - Emily Moran-Seekings 

Costume Supervisor - Veronika Veriovchenko

Stage Manager - Fodhla O'Brien

Deputy Stage Manager - Zoe Rogers-Holman 

Production Photographer - Laura Aziz