High culture on the big screen

The theatre’s cinema screen - one of the biggest in Europe - is showing productions from the Royal Opera House.

The quintessential classic romantic ballet Giselle is being screened live on Wednesday, April 6.

The ballet tells of a love affair that begins in the real world and continues beyond the grave. The ballet’s title role also offers one of the great challenges of the ballet repertoire, as Giselle transforms from an innocent peasant girl, duped into love, to a forgiving spirit who saves her lover from death.

The music for Giselle, which was first performed in 1841, was composed by Adolphe Adam, with this production produced by Peter Wright.

If a story of ongoing family feuds and madness seems more tempting, a recording of Lucia di Lammermoor is being screened on Sunday, May 1. Considered Donizetti’s finest work, Katie Mitchell revives the opera and returns it to the Royal Opera House after more than a decade.

The tragic opera, which is set in Scotland, was written in 1835 and was inspired by Sir Walter Scott’s novel The Bride of Lammermoor. It has remained a staple of the operatic repertoire since the early 20th century.

Tickets for these screenings are £15 with discounts for concessions. The season also has a Student Standby Offer for selected productions, for students wanting to explore and experience performing arts.

Call 01582 60 20 80 or visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk for more information or to book tickets.