NEWS: Highbury Opera present Michael Palin's 'The Weekend' at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London at the end of this month.

Highbury Opera Theatre presents: The Weekend Michael Palin’s popular play about one man’s quest to avoid a family gathering is adapted into a jazz-infused comic opera Music by Scott Stroman | Libretto by Tamsin Collison | Directed by John Ramster Bloomsbury Theatre, 25 – 27 September "A big-hearted piece of music-theatre” The Independent on Fever Pitch: The Opera @HighOpTheatre | highburyoperacompany.com

featuring Scott Stroman’s colourful music and Tamsin Collison’s witty libretto. The creative team previously worked together on 2017’s Fever Pitch: The Opera, a musical adaptation of Nick Hornby’s autobiographical novel about his life-long relationship with Arsenal FC.

At the centre of this very British comedy sits Stephen Febble, misanthrope extraordinaire who wants, more than anything, to have a quiet weekend to himself at home. Instead, he gets a visit from his needy daughter, complete with boorish husband, frenetic child and a badly trained dog. With tempers already frayed and trips to the drinks cabinet becoming more frequent, Stephen gets the news he’s most been dreading: it’s their turn to host the village cocktail party. Will the grumbling retiree ever get the peace and quiet he’s looking for? The Weekend draws on the long tradition of British family dramas onstage, delivering a sharp-eyed, Ayckbournian take on tense family dynamics and social expectations.

Scott Stroman said, “Michael Palin has been a dream to work with. After seeing our previous work, he offered his full support, though he wasn’t sure how his play would translate into music. After hearing the result, he said, ‘Now I see why the play caught your imagination. it should have been an opera all along!”.

Highbury Opera Theatre was established in 2011 to create dynamic and vibrant performances of contemporary opera and music theatre. Led by composer and conductor Scott Stroman, the company seamlessly blends professional and talented non-professionals. They maintain strong community focus and regularly partner with Union Chapel and North London schools. The Weekend is Highbury Opera Theatre’s eighth production and the fourth new stage work from Scott Stroman, following Fever Pitch: The Opera, As You Like It and Fables.

Running Time: 75 mins (no interval) | Suitable for ages 12+ (mild adult content)