Albert Herring by Britten, From (2024/2024), Directed by Daisy Evans,, Conductor William Cole, The Corn Exchange, Haddington, United Kingdom

One of the 20th century’s most beloved operatic comedies, Albert Herring is Britten's loose adaptation of a Guy de Maupassant short story, full of quirky yet loveable characters and 1980s nostalgia. The market town of Loxford is just as busy with gossip as it is with trade. Lady Billows organises the May Day festival. When her housekeeper tells her no young lady has a spotless reputation fit for the May Queen, she becomes alarmed. The answer? Crown Albert Herring, a shy mother’s boy, May King instead! Albert has not done anything wrong – indeed, he has hardly done anything at all. Suddenly in the spotlight, Albert is caught between old-guard traditions and his fellow youngsters’ freewheeling fun. Both parties are quick to judge the odd one out. In this chamber production created for the Lammermuir Festival, award-winning director Daisy Evans (The Telephone 2020) and designer Kat Heath bring a colourful eye to this story of finding one’s own path in life despite — or perhaps because of — misadventures along the way. Albert Herring is brought to life by conductor William Cole and a cast of top UK singers alongside Scottish Opera’s 2024/25 Emerging Artists. The cast is led by Glen Cunningham (A Midsummer Night’s Dream 2022) as Albert, with Susan Bullock (Candide 2022) as Lady Billows and Jamie MacDougall (Marx in London! 2024) as the Mayor, Mr Upfold.