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Playground Opera: The Implausible Potions of Dr Dulcamara

The Implausible Potions of Dr Dulcamara - a family friendly adaptation of Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love, at Cidermill Theatre.

For the first time we’re bringing our popular Playground Opera out of schools and into Chipping Campden’s Cidermill Theatre, for a public performance at 6.30pm on 14 June.

Haughty Adina is loved by shy Nemorino; Nemorino is intimidated by the boastful Belcore; and all are hoodwinked by the unscrupulous charlatan, Dr Dulcamara. 

Longing, lies and gossip, plus some magic potions and a lot of confusion make this story a brilliant way to introduce children to a timeless opera.

Tickets are £2.50 for under 18s, Adults £15. 

50% off for 18-35 Members, full-time students and unwaged/unemployed.

Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Book tickets.


Director Maria Jagusz
Set Designer Harry Pizzey
Music Director Jess May
Stage Manager Amber Styles

Adina Rachel Speirs
Nemorino Tobias Campos Santinaque
Belcore/Dr Dulcamara Matthew Siveter

Accordion Miloš Milivojević
Violin Anja Milivojević

Adina (cover) Katherine McIndoe
Nemorino (cover) Brenton Spiteri
Belcore/Dr Dulcamara (cover) Sam Young


Playground Opera Showcase March 23 Lr Cr Rachel Jones 54
Playground Opera Showcase March 23 Lr Cr Rachel Jones 13

Playground Opera is Longborough Festival Opera's project to bring opera into schools.

Playground Opera makes opera more accessible and provides an exciting first experience of opera for hundreds of children. We prioritise schools in areas of rural or economic deprivation, where children have little access to high-quality culture. Playground Opera reimagines classic operas, involving pupils in an intensive workshop and performance day which allows them to explore and rewrite the story, learn to sing music from the opera, and participate as extra characters, resulting in an absorbing and highly engaging experience.

Playground Opera 2023 3

Playground Opera

Part of our ongoing programme to make great opera accessible to a younger audience, fully immersing local state schools into the plots and music with participation and preparation.

Youth Chorus Cr Matthew Williams Ellis 46

Take part at Longborough

Find out how to participate in our projects for young people and the community.