We are proud to be working towards a more sustainable approach to theatre making.
With the Theatre Green Book as our guide, we used 2023 to collect, record and learn about our current practices. We will use these as a point of reference to build on in future years.
In 2023 we also used the Sustainable Production Green Book to create three new shows.
How have we done this?
• We created a new role of Production Coordinator. Our Production Coordinator’s remit is to monitor our current working practices and help us improve, in ways that are more environmentally sustainable.
• With our three new productions (L’elisir d’amore, L’Orfeo and The Fairy Queen) we worked towards meeting at least the baseline standard of The Theatre Green Book, from commission to design to delivery.
Outcomes:
• Over 50% of the materials used for set, props and costumes had been recycled from a previous life. At least 65% of the materials used for set, props and costume were recycled after the shows finished.
• We used 100% recycled plastic for set printing. This cost more but it is better for the environment.
• The stage and seating structures from our 2021 Big Top were re-used in L’Orfeo and The Fairy Queen.
• Rather than buying new props we were able to hire, including a cart, bicycle, and telephone box for L’elisir d’amore and a swan pedalo for Fairy Queen.
• Our approach to staffing changed. We worked with the same set/props/costume supervisor across these three new productions. This allowed us to share design elements resourcefully.
• Compared to 2022, we doubled our recycling rate for the season.
In 2024
We have continued working with the Theatre Green Book to create sustainable productions as well as improve our operations, site waste and recycling.
We also actively participate in Opera Europa Sustainability forums. Our new production of La bohème is aiming to align with the Theatre Green Book baseline standard, and is being monitored to best inform our future productions. The Ring cycle design, set and costumes have been in use since 2019. We are working to ensure the future life of materials used in the Ring and are working on increasing our targets even more, with our four new productions in 2025.
The Hedgehog shuttle bus service
The Hedgehog community bus service is a non-profit organisation operated entirely by volunteers.
In partnership with this brilliant local service, in 2024 we offered a shuttle service from Moreton-in-Marsh station to our theatre.
“A chance meeting led me to the main Royal Opera House contractors who were throwing out all the red plush seats. Immediately I hired two gigantic articulated trucks which arrived a Bow Street a few hours after the Gala Night in July 1997.” – Martin Graham
At Longborough, there is a great tradition of recycling which we are keen to build on. Our theatre interior is decorated with salvaged doors and mirrors, as well as our seating, which was rescued from the Royal Opera House when they refurbished in 1997. Read more about this story in our book, Longborough Festival Opera: the first 30 years.
