By Katya Hamilton-Smith, Senior Public Affairs and Communications Manager

Tuesday 30 July 2024

Lisa Nandy MP – the new Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport – visited the Royal Opera House in the heart of London’s theatre district.  

On her first visit to a UK theatre since starting the role earlier this month, the Culture Secretary explored backstage areas of the Royal Opera House, meeting with artists, creatives and apprentices working together to support the UK’s home of world class ballet and opera.  

The Royal Ballet and Opera is currently training 19 apprentices, with almost 70 having already completed their training with the organisation since the programme began in 2007. From wig-making to metalwork, carpentry to tailoring, the apprenticeship programme focuses on addressing the vital skills shortages in the theatre industry, with roles across its main Covent Garden site and Production Workshop in Thurrock, Essex.  

Ty, one of the current Royal Ballet and Opera apprentices, said:

'The biggest benefit of being a Royal Ballet and Opera apprentice is being able to have the space and support to learn and develop my technical theatre skills... I’ve also hugely grown in confidence. At the start I was anxious about change and working in new departments was daunting, but everyone is so welcoming and supportive.'

During the visit, the Culture Secretary explored the Royal Opera House Main Stage as teams prepare for the first performance of Brian Cox’s Symphonic Horizons, in which Professor Brian Cox and Daniel Harding join with the Britten Sinfonia to combine ground-breaking science with the power of the orchestra. She also visited the costume revivals workshop where costumes are currently being reworked and refitted for next Season’s production of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.  

Nandy also stopped by a rehearsal of The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, performed by ZooNation: A Kate Prince Company and due to return to the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Theatre in September, and toured The Royal Ballet’s state-of-the-art Healthcare Suite.  

Alex Beard, Chief Executive of the Royal Ballet and Opera said:  

'We were delighted to welcome the Secretary of State to our Covent Garden site so early in her tenure. Our theatre is home to not only the very best of ballet and opera, but a world class team of creatives, backstage staff and apprentices learning their skills to support the future of our art forms. It was a pleasure to pull back the curtain on our wonderful theatre for the new government, today.'