The Royal Opera will present the London premiere of Pleasure at the Lyric Hammersmith next month, the operatic debut of English composer Mark Simpson. 

This is the Royal Opera’s first co-commission and co-production with the Lyric Hammersmith and features a libretto by Melanie Challenger and is directed by Tim Albery.

Val works the toilets in Pleasure, a hedonistic gay club in the north of England. For years, she has been a shoulder to cry on and a confidante – much loved but viewed as an enigma. Why is she still there? Why does she never leave? When a young man, both beautiful and unpredictable, arrives from the city and leaves a gift for Val – performed in this premiere production by the well-known British soprano Lesley Garrett – it marks the start of a passionate and violent night.

The production will be conducted by Nicholas Kok who will lead ensemble Psappha and a cast of four made up of English soprano Lesley Garrett, tenor Nick Pritchard, baritone Timothy Nelson and baritone Steven Page. Pleasure will feature designs by Leslie Travers.

Pleasure will appear at the Lyric Hammersmith from the 11th-14th May.