In an exciting change to its usual summer main scale season, WNO will present the world première of a new commission, Rhondda Rips It Up!

Rhondda Rips It Up! is unlike anything previously presented by WNO. Performed in a classic music hall style, with original songs inspired by the suffragette slogans, this tongue-in-cheek production takes audiences on a whirlwind tour of the inspiring activist’s mission.

This production will tell the story of the remarkable suffragette, Margaret Haig Thomas, who tirelessly campaigned for equal rights for women. The show will premiere in Haig Thomas’s home town of Newport before touring Wales and England during summer and autumn 2018.

The production marks the centenary of the first, partial women’s suffrage bill of 1918 and will feature an all-female cast and creative team, and is composed by Elena Langer with a libretto by Emma Jenkins and will be led by director Caroline Clegg and music director Nicola Rose.

Soprano Lesley Garrett stars as Master of Ceremonies (Emcee) and Madeleine Shaw as Lady Rhondda joined by female members of the WNO Chorus performing all the roles including the male politicians of the time.

On the opening day of the tour Thursday 7 June WNO will host a symposium in Newport on the challenges faced by women in the classical music world. The tour will also be accompanied by extensive programme of free community and youth projects on protest, rebellion and human rights and an ambitious digital project bringing Lady Rhondda to life through a Mixed Reality (MR) installation.

We will presenting a series of films showing the progress of the production. To watch episode 1 please click the link here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAMNnrKVn3Q