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A Christmas Miracle is inspired by Benjamin Britten’s unrealised plans for A Christmas Sequence and using text from the Chester Mystery Plays, it will feature new music by Errollyn interspersed with much-loved Christmas carols. We're delighted to be developing this commission with Master of the King's Music, Errollyn Wallen CBE and our very own Artistic Director, Frederic Wake-Walker who is director and dramaturg.

Like Britten’s Noye’s Fludde – a visionary community opera – this production will bring together a magical mix of professional performers with young people and their communities. A Christmas Miracle is essentially a Christmas Noye’s Fludde – building on the fundamental principles established by Britten but responding to how we define cocreation, accessibility and sustainability today.

The piece will be premiered in partnership with Britten Pears Arts at Orford Church, where Noye’s Fludde was premiered, in November 2026, followed by performances in Orkney – with a different community cast in each place.

We’re now launching an open call to find a lighting designer to work with set & costume designer Ruth Paton to create designs for the production. The designer role is part of Mahogany Opera’s Jerwood Opera Designer’s Award programme.

We are looking for a designer who has a distinctive style and inventive approach, with experience including Stage FX and Lighting Practicals for the stage, as well as experience of lighting non-theatre spaces. You should have an interest in integrating access into performance, be committed to working to Theatre Green Book baseline standard or above, and looking to benefit from mentoring and career support (for any reason) from the project partners.

HOW TO APPLY

For full details about the roles and how to apply, please download the recruitment pack below.

If it would be more accessible to have this information in another format, please email bridget@mahoganyopera.co.uk

Application Deadline - 9am on Wednesday 15 April 2026

We are also currently recruiting for:

• Set & Costume Designer: Ecstasy of the Virtues
• Chorus: Ecstasy of the Virtues