The full company of a London Youth Opera production on stage in costume.

More Than 50 Years of New Opera

Past Productions

Since 1971, London Youth Opera has created and staged new operas for young performers, building a remarkable repertoire of original work for young voices and large casts.

2025

The Little Zombie Girl

Omar Shahryar, composer · Ed Harris, librettist

The Little Zombie Girl is a contemporary fable exploring trust, self-acceptance, diversity and belonging.

Performance highlights · The Little Zombie Girl (2025)
  • Ringaling's Goblin Circus troupe in a choreographed ensemble number.
  • Courtroom scene with the Little Zombie Girl and a 'Wanted' poster.
  • Four performers in pink berets and red skirts dance in unison.

Critical Acclaim

The Little Zombie Girl works on every level… Ed Harris's lyrics are witty and Omar Shahryar's score is very easy on the ear… this young people's opera deserves a longer life.
Michael Billington · Former Arts Critic, The Guardian

2024

The Quest

Nathan Williamson, composer · Megg Nicol, librettist

A group of brilliant young scientists stand on the brink of solving the world's environmental crisis, but their ideals are tested when ambitious politicians begin competing for power and control.

Performance highlights · The Quest (2024)
  • A cluster of young scientists lean in around a tablet, faces animated with excitement and alarm as they read a breakthrough.
  • Two scientists share a high-five, the warmth of the moment cutting through the seriousness of the laboratory scene.
  • Two young scientists take the podium beneath a huge projected Eco Conference logo, addressing a semicircle of colleagues gathered around them.

Nominated

The Quest was nominated for Best Community and Participation Composition at the 2025 Ivor Classical Awards.

2023

Pandora's Box

Stuart Hancock, composer · Donald Sturrock, librettist

When Pandora Woakes receives a mysterious gift from Prometheus, a salesman from Olympus Enterprises, on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, she unknowingly releases Greed, Vanity and Envy into the modern world.

Performance highlights · Pandora's Box (2023)
  • Prometheus, in an Olympus Enterprises blue bomber jacket and messenger bag, stands lit against a red curtain and wooden panelled backdrop.
  • Pandora receives a plain cardboard box marked with a red X from two Olympus Enterprises messengers, her family gathered around a birthday cake behind her.
  • Three friends from the village of Middle Demos gather around a kitchen counter in warm autumnal clothes, mid-conversation.

Nominated

Pandora's Box was nominated for Best Original Music Score in the Performing Arts category of the Jerry Goldsmith Awards 2025.

1971 - Today

The LYO Archive

Explore London Youth Opera’s production history, from W11 Children’s Opera to the present day.

Our 2023, 2024 and 2025 productions are featured above.

* = not an original W11/LYO commission; + = revival

  1. 2022No production
  2. Original poster for It’s Your Move (2021)

    2021

    It’s Your Move

    Composer: Russell Hepplewhite · Librettist: Tim Yealland and Susan Moore

  3. Original poster for Jukebox (2020)

    2020

    Jukebox

    Composer: Various

  4. Original poster for Ever Young (2019)

    2019

    Ever Young

    Composer: Russell Hepplewhite · Librettist: Helen Eastman

  5. Original poster for Shadowtracks (2018)

    2018

    Shadowtracks

    + Revival

    Composer: Julian Grant · Librettist: Christina Jones

  6. Original poster for The Cutlass Crew (2017)

    2017

    The Cutlass Crew

    Composer: Stuart Hancock · Librettist: Donald Sturrock

  7. Original poster for The Price (2016)

    2016

    The Price

    Composer: Russell Hepplewhite · Librettist: Helen Eastman

  8. Original poster for Eliza and the Swans (2015)

    2015

    Eliza and the Swans

    Composer: John Barber · Librettist: Hazel Gould

  9. Original poster for Deep Waters (2014)

    2014

    Deep Waters

    + Revival

    Composer: Cecilia McDowall · Librettist: Christie Dickason

  10. Original poster for The Fizz (2013)

    2013

    The Fizz

    Composer: Martin Ward · Librettist: Phil Porter

  11. Original poster for Good Intentions (2012)

    2012

    Good Intentions

    Composer: Julian Philips · Librettist: Simon Christmas

  12. Original poster for Original Features (2011)

    2011

    Original Features

    Composer: Julian Grant · Librettist: Christina Jones

  13. Original poster for Rain Dance (2010)

    2010

    Rain Dance

    Composer: Stuart Hancock · Librettist: Donald Sturrock

  14. Original poster for The Whale Savers (2009)

    2009

    The Whale Savers

    Composer: Martin Ward · Librettist: Phil Porter

  15. Original poster for The Song of Rhiannon (2008)

    2008

    The Song of Rhiannon

    Composer: Mark Bowden · Librettist: Helen Cooper

  16. Original poster for Shadowtracks (2007)

    2007

    Shadowtracks

    Composer: Julian Grant · Librettist: Tina Jones

  17. Original poster for Chincha-Chancha Cooroo (2006)

    2006

    Chincha-Chancha Cooroo

    Composer: Bernard Hughes · Librettist: William Radice

  18. Original poster for Antiphony (2005)

    2005

    Antiphony

    + Revival

    Composer: Graham Preskett · Librettist: John Kane

  19. Original poster for All in the Mind (2004)

    2004

    All in the Mind

    Composer: Edward Lambert · Librettist: Edward Lambert

  20. Original poster for Game Over (2003)

    2003

    Game Over

    Composer: Guy Dagul · Librettist: Jane Aspeling

  21. Original poster for Stormlight (2002)

    2002

    Stormlight

    Composer: David Knotts · Librettist: Katharine Craik

  22. Original poster for Flying High (2001)

    2001

    Flying High

    Composer: Graham Preskett · Librettist: John Kane

  23. Original poster for Deep Waters (2000)

    2000

    Deep Waters

    Composer: Cecilia McDowall · Librettist: Christie Dickason

  24. Original poster for Rip (1999)

    1999

    Rip

    Composer: Colin Towns · Librettist: Martin Newell

  25. Original poster for Birthday (1998)

    1998

    Birthday

    + Revival

    Composer: George Fenton · Librettist: Timothy Kraemer

  26. Original poster for Eloise (1997)

    1997

    Eloise

    Composer: Karl Jenkins · Librettist: Carol Barratt

  27. Original poster for Ulysses and the Wooden Horse (1996)

    1996

    Ulysses and the Wooden Horse

    + Revival

    Composer: Timothy Kraemer · Librettist: Timothy Kraemer

  28. Original poster for The Dancing Princesses (1995)

    1995

    The Dancing Princesses

    Composer: Bill Connor · Librettist: Nick Renton

  29. Original poster for Antiphony (1994)

    1994

    Antiphony

    Composer: Graham Preskett · Librettist: John Kane

  30. Original poster for Traveller’s Tale (1993)

    1993

    Traveller’s Tale

    Composer: Michael Kamen · Librettist: Michael Kamen

  31. Original poster for Listen to the Earth (1992)

    1992

    Listen to the Earth

    Composer: Steve Gray · Librettist: Sarah Shuckburgh

  32. Original poster for A Time of Miracles (1991)

    1991

    A Time of Miracles

    Composer: Richard Harvey · Librettist: John Kane

  33. Original poster for Double Trouble (1990)

    1990

    Double Trouble

    Composer: Louisa Lasdun · Librettist: Adam Thorpe

  34. Original poster for Koppelberg (1989)

    1989

    Koppelberg

    Composer: Steve Gray · Librettist: Norman Brooke

  35. Original poster for The Return of Odysseus (1988)

    1988

    The Return of Odysseus

    Composer: David Bedford · Librettist: David Bedford

  36. Original poster for Ulysses and the Wooden Horse (1987)

    1987

    Ulysses and the Wooden Horse

    Composer: Timothy Kraemer · Librettist: Timothy Kraemer

  37. Original poster for The Tin Knight (1986)

    1986

    The Tin Knight

    Composer: Francis Shaw · Librettist: Michael Finch

  38. Original poster for Bel and the Dragon (1985)

    1985

    Bel and the Dragon

    + Revival

    Composer: John Gardner · Librettist: Timothy Kraemer

  39. Original poster for The Adventures of Jonah (1984)

    1984

    The Adventures of Jonah

    + Revival

    Composer: Timothy Kraemer · Librettist: Timothy Kraemer and Peter Dickinson

  40. Original poster for Rainbow Planet (1983)

    1983

    Rainbow Planet

    Composer: Christopher Gunning · Librettist: Timothy Rose Price

  41. Original poster for Birthday (1982)

    1982

    Birthday

    Composer: George Fenton · Librettist: Timothy Kraemer

  42. Original poster for Wenceslas (1981)

    1981

    Wenceslas

    Composer: Timothy Kraemer · Librettist: Timothy Kraemer

  43. Original poster for Mak the Sheep Stealer* (1980)

    1980

    Mak the Sheep Stealer*

    Composer: Herbert Chappell · Librettist: Don Taylor

  44. Original poster for Dreamtime (1979)

    1979

    Dreamtime

    Composer: Daryl Runswick · Librettist: Daryl Runswick

  45. Original poster for The Girl and the Unicorn (1978)

    1978

    The Girl and the Unicorn

    Composer: Stephen Oliver · Librettist: Stephen Oliver

  46. Original poster for The Adventures of Jonah (1977)

    1977

    The Adventures of Jonah

    Composer: Timothy Kraemer · Librettist: Timothy Kraemer and Peter Dickinson

  47. Original poster for Like This, Like That (1976)

    1976

    Like This, Like That

    Composer: Timothy Kraemer · Librettist: Peter Dickinson

  48. Original poster for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat* (1975)

    1975

    Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat*

    Composer: Andrew Lloyd Webber · Librettist: Tim Rice

  49. Original poster for The Winter Star* (1974)

    1974

    The Winter Star*

    Composer: Malcolm Williamson

  50. Original poster for Bel and the Dragon (1973)

    1973

    Bel and the Dragon

    Composer: John Gardner · Librettist: Timothy Kraemer

  51. Original poster for The Pied Piper (1972)

    1972

    The Pied Piper

    Composer: Christopher Bowers-Broadbent · Librettist: Jeremy Hornsby

  52. Original poster for Noye’s Fludde* (1971)

    1971

    Noye’s Fludde*

    Composer: Benjamin Britten · Librettist: Chester Mystery play

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