The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark is a brand new children’s opera based on Jill Tomlinson’s classic children’s book.

Plop is a baby barn owl with a looming occupational hazard: he’s afraid of the dark. However, venturing beyond the nest one evening, he meets various new friends who take him on an enchanting musical journey through the night’s beautiful mysteries.

The opera’s infectious melodies, exciting rhythms and charming story cannot fail to create a moving and memorable night for audience and performers alike.

The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark gives young children the opportunity to practise and perform alongside trained musicians. The children are not just given parts in the chorus, but take centre stage in lead roles and as integral players in the orchestra; the show simply couldn’t go ahead without them!

The photos above are taken from the first performance, which took place in Great St Mary's Church, Cambridge, on 26th November, 2011, with children from local schools, and which received very enthusiastic reviews: 'Such music showed excellent judgement of children’s capabilities whilst never being limited to what might in other hands remain in the realm of the boringly safe'. For more infomation about this production please see owlopera.com

The music is ingeniously written so that it is simple to perform, yet also startlingly evocative, imaginative and atmospheric; this is a piece that is exciting both in its approachability and its artistic integrity.

If you are interested in performing this opera please click here.