Theatre and Dance

The magic of ballet and opera is coming to Leeds city centre this summer as three famous productions are to be shown live on the BBC Big Screen on Millennium Square. The productions will be beamed exclusively live from the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.

The programme starts with The Royal Ballet's 'Ondine', this will be followed by operas La Traviata and The Barber of Seville. The free events supported by Leeds City Council are part of the annual BP Summer Big Screens Programme which aims to bring live performances of opera and ballet to people of all ages all over the country.

Ondine is the tragic romantic tale of a young water sprite and the mortal with whom she falls in love. The production features scenes beneath the sea, in a Gothic castle and aboard a storm-tossed ship as the sea spirits are brought to life.

La Traviata is another well-known classic love story, following Violetta and Alfredo, whose romance is undone by his unyielding father Giorgio who is determined to protect his family’s reputation.

The final performance is arguably the most famous Italian opera of all – The Barber of Seville. Rossini's comedy masterpiece features a classic score, a resourceful heroine and Figaro, the town barber extraordinaire.

The performances will be screened within a controlled area on Millennium Square with admission on a first-come, first-served basis from one hour before the start times. New for 2009, is a covered grandstand which can cater for 140 people but those attending are still encouraged to take their own collapsible furniture.

Picnic-style food and drink is permitted although there will also be a small refreshment service and toilet facilities available. Anyone aged 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. In the interests of public safety, the following conditions will apply in Millennium Square:
* Event stewards will be entitled to search people and/or their possessions on entry to the event enclosure. Staff will not take responsibility for any prohibited items.
* Prohibited items include, but are not restricted to, large parasols, gazebos, awnings and portable barbecues.
* The organisers reserve the right to refuse admission to the event enclosure.

Screenings:
Wednesday 3 June 2009 at 7.30pm - The Royal Ballet's 'Ondine'
Tuesday 30 June 2009 at 7pm - 'La Traviata'
Wednesday 15 July 2009 at 7.30pm - 'The Barber Of Seville'

The screenings form part of the Summer of Fun in Leeds, with details of all the council-managed free or low-cost events and activities going on around the city able to be accessed through the webpage: