No longer booking
  • Venue London Coliseum, London
  • Performance dates Booking to 4 May 2023
  • Running time 2 hours 25 minutes (including interval)
  • Age guidelines This production is recommended for ages 15+.

The UK premiere of this award-winning contemporary opera

★★★★ “A lyrical and angry work of unflinching power” – The Guardian

A generational rift leads to father and son at odds, with the fate of the family at risk.

Asking ever relevant questions of race, duty and the extent to which loyalty can hold before breaking, Blue follows an African-American family as the patriarch’s job as a policeman clashes with his activist son’s notions of equality and justice.

Marking the UK debut of Blue, the acclaimed Tony Award-winning composer Jeanine Tesori’s score will be fused with the direction of ‘fast-rising’ (The Guardian) star of British theatre Tinuke Craig, to produce an intimate family drama with a devastating emotional core.

The cast includes Zwakele Tshabalala as the Son, alongside former ENO Harewood Artist Nadine Benjamin as the Mother, and Kenneth Kellogg, who marks his ENO Debut, as the Father.

Former ENO Mackerras Fellow Matthew Kofi Waldren conducts, with set and costumes by Alex Lowde.

Blue is booking from 20 April 2023 until 4 May 2023 at the London Coliseum.

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Performance Information

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Stars and Creatives

Who is in the cast of Blue?

Nadine Benjamin is The Mother, Kenneth Kellogg is The Father, Zwakele Tshabalala is The Son, Ronald Samm is The Reverend, Chanáe Curtis is Girlfriend 1/Nurse, Sarah-Jane Lewis is Girlfriend 2/Congregant 2, Idunnu Münch is Girlfriend 3/Congregant 3, John-Colyn Gyeantey is Policeman 1/Congregant 1, Rheinaldt Tshepo Moagi is Policeman 2/Congregant 2, Joshua Conyers is Policeman 3/Congregant 3.

Who are the creative team of Blue?

The composer is Jeanine Tesori, the librettist is Tazewell Thompson, direction by Tinuke Craig, the ENO orchestra is conducted Matthew Kofi Waldren, set and costumes by Alex Lowde, lighting by James Farncombe, video by Ravi Deepres, and sound by Yvonne Gilbert.

Important Notes

Sung in English. The surtitles system displays sung words above the stage.

Venue Information

London Coliseum , St. Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES

Nearest Tube or Train: Leicester Square (Northern line, Piccadilly line), Charing Cross (Northern line, Bakerloo line), Embankment (Northern line, Bakerloo line, District line, Circle line)

Nearest Buses: 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 23, 24, 29, 53, 77a, 88, 91, 139, 159, 176

Directions

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Critics' reviews of Blue

★★★★ "A lyrical and angry work of unflinching power" - The Guardian

★★★★ "Compelling production by Tinuke Craig" - The Stage

★★★★ "Grief, race and police brutality" - The Financial Times

Also see: Blue Reviews Round-up

Frequently Asked Questions

Blue is playing at the London Coliseum in London
The running time of Blue is 2 hours 25 minutes (including interval)
The age recommendations for Blue are: This production is recommended for ages 15+.
Yes, Blue has matinee performances on the following days: Sunday
No, sorry, Blue has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

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