New Sussex Opera’s latest venture is a production of the 1737 comic opera The Dragon of Wantley, coming to towns across Sussex later this spring. Love triangles, satirical wit and of course, dragons, combine together in this updated version of John Frederick Lampe’s comedic hit, as a drunken squire takes on a quest to defeat a tyrannical talking dragon while juggling two love interests. Featuring a traditional period orchestra and set in 1980s South Yorkshire, the performance promises to deliver both humour and musical entertainment in this outrageously burlesque combination of opera and comedy.

Performances are taking place in Lewes, Hove, Tunbridge Wells, Winchester, London and Eastbourne across April and May. For further details of performance dates, visit www.newsussexopera.org

Words by Elise Barry