No longer booking
  • Venue London Coliseum, London
  • Performance dates Booking to 10 December 2022
  • Running time To be confirmed

Your favourite Christmas film comes to life in this new family friendly opera!

The classic Christmas story, redefined for a new generation. 

Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s operatic adaptation of the genre-defining Frank Capra film of the same name, It’s a Wonderful Life will transport you to the idyllic little town of Bedford Falls, where it’s a white Christmas – though not everything is merry and bright.

An all-star cast includes Frederick Ballentine, Gweneth Ann Rand, Jennifer France, Michael Mayes and Danielle de Niese.

Create a new holiday tradition, book your opera tickets to Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s It’s a Wonderful Life.

Based on the 1946 Frank Capra movie of the same name (by permission of Paramount Licensing Inc.) and “The Greatest Gift” by Philip Van Doren Stern.

It’s A Wonderful Life is booking until 10 December 2022 at the London Coliseum

Down-on-his-luck banker George Bailey (Frederick Ballentine) feels like life has passed him by, so when his guardian angel (Danielle de Niese) pays him a visit, George is shown what life in his beloved Bedford Falls would be like without him in it: maybe it’d be a little less wonderful after all?

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Performance Information

Check booking calendar for full details

Stars and Creatives

Who is in the cast of It's A Wonderful Life?

Danielle de Niese as Clara; Frederick Ballentine as George Bailey; Ronald Samm as Uncle Billy Bailey; Donovan Singletary as Harry Bailey; Jennifer France as Mary Hatch Bailey; Michael Mayes as Mr. Potter; Idunnu Münch, Keri Fuge, Zwakele Tshabalala and Ossian Huskinson as the Angel Quartet; Gweneth Ann Rand as Mother Bailey; Alex Otterburn as Ernie; and Segomotso Masego Shupinyaneng as Helen Bailey.

Who are the creative team of It's A Wonderful Life?

Music is by Jake Heggie and lyrics by Gene Scheer.

Aletta Collins makes her ENO debut directing and choreographing, with regular Heggie collaborator Nicole Paiement conducting the ENO Chorus and Orchestra.

Other members of the creative team include Giles Cadle, Set Designer; Gabrielle Dalton, Costume Designer; Andreas Fuchs, Lighting Designer; and Nick Lidster, Sound Designer.

Important Notes

Content: Please be aware that this production contains some adult content which may not be suitable for young audiences.

Special notes: Sung in English. Our 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 It's A Wonderful Life

★★★★ "The Christmas miracle that should save the ENO" - i News

★★★★ "A glittering, melodic score" - The Guardian

★★★★ "Feel-good Christmas opera" - The Telegraph

★★★★ "An enchanting Christmas show" - The FT

Also see: It's A Wonderful Life Reviews Round-up

Frequently Asked Questions

It's A Wonderful Life is playing at the London Coliseum in London
Yes, It's A Wonderful Life has matinee performances on the following days: Saturday, Sunday
No, sorry, It's A Wonderful Life has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

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