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Do you love singing, music making or arts & crafts? Britten Pears Arts and Mahogany Opera are looking for people of all ages to be involved in A Christmas Miracle. We are building a community opera inspired by composer Benjamin Britten, and we’d love you to be involved. We’re looking for people of all ages, no experience required – just enthusiasm!

This new community opera is a compelling re-telling of the Christmas story for the 21^st century. The work builds on the fundamental principles established by Britten in Noye’s Fludde, and responds to today’s approaches to co-creation, accessibility and sustainability.

What exactly IS A Christmas Miracle?

A Christmas Miracle is inspired by composer Benjamin Britten’s early sketches to write five short operas based on the Christmas story. He planned the libretto, taking the text from The Chester Miracle plays, but the operas never came to fruition.

Until NOW.

Errollyn Wallen OBE, Master of the King’s Music, has taken Britten as inspiration for A Christmas Miracle. Like his Noye’s Fludde – a visionary community opera – this production will bring together a magical mix of professional & community singers, instrumentalists, creatives and technicians.

Accompanied by an orchestra of strings, pianos & percussion all the well-known Christmas characters from shepherds, magi, midwives and of course Mary & Joseph are here. It’s a dramatic story of peril & hope in a musical drama that transcends time and generations.

How can I get involved?

There are specific singing roles for all ages that we are casting from the community including Mary, Joseph, magis, shepherds, midwives, knights & animals. In addition, if you play an instrument we would love to hear from you. There are also lots of behind the scenes roles; helping make costumes, scenery & props as well as working on lighting, sound & stage management. Makers of all sorts - weavers, armours, mask makers, basket makers, felters or any other skills you can bring - can be involved in the months leading up to the performance.

What’s the time commitment for taking part?

For performers: We will be holding choral sessions to join in with over the Autumn

13-21 November 2026 - Most late afternoons/evenings for production rehearsals and performances on 20 – 21 November

There will be lots of ways to get involved helping make costumes & props in the weeks running up to performances.

Interested in finding out more?
Click the button below to email us for more info or to sign up!