Regents Opera announces immersive 2026 production of Richard Strauss’ Salome in East London gangland
Regents Opera’s Salome
York Hall, Bethnall Green
10-23 April 2026
Conductor: Ben Woodward
Director: Mark Ravenhill
Choreographer: Aletta Collins
Salome: Kirsty Taylor-Stokes and Eleanor Dennis
Following the resounding success of its Ring Cycle in 2025, the UK’s leading fringe opera company, Regents Opera, returns to York Hall in 2026 with a bold new staging of Richard Strauss’ explosive masterpiece Salome, conducted by Ben Woodward and directed by Mark Ravenhill. Performed in the historic East End home of British boxing, Salome will be one of the operatic experiences of the year.
Set in a surreal East London underworld, Salome is reimagined as a darkly comic feast dripping in gangland glamour. The audience will step into the world of ‘King’ Herod where they will witness the grisly, seductive unraveling of one of opera’s greatest female characters.
Regents Opera’s Artistic Director Ben Woodward, who directed the critically acclaimed Ring Cycle says, “After the monumental scale of the Ring Cycle, we wanted to create something equally ambitious but more visceral – an experience that doesn’t just present opera, but immerses audience members in it. Salome is as shocking today as it was at its premiere and our production will deliver audiences directly to its beating heart.”
Director Mark Ravenhill says, 'Having relished Regent Opera's incredible Ring cycle, I was thrilled to be invited to direct the company's new production of Salome - the most ferocious, intense, 'in-yer-face' music drama in the opera repertoire.
“Our 'site responsive' production in Britain's premiere boxing venue, York Hall, will draw on the East End gangland history of the early 1960s. I'm particularly delighted to be joined by Aletta Collins whose incredible body of work as a choreographer will give full weight to the vital role which dance plays in the story.”
The opera is based on the provocative Oscar Wilde one-act play about a lustful biblical temptress and her tragic demise and includes the now infamous dance of the seven veils which will be reimagined by choreographer Aletta Collins (It’s a Wonderful Life, The Boy in the Dress, Belfast).
The role of Salome will be shared by celebrated sopranos Kirsty Taylor-Stokes and Eleanor Dennis. They’ll perform alongside Holden Madagame and Robin Whitehouse as Herodes, and Oliver Gibbs and Freddie Tong as Jokanaan. Deborah Humble and Mae Heydorn appear as Herodias, while James Schouten takes the role of Narraboth and Jessica Ouston as the Page. The company is joined by an outstanding ensemble, including Davide Basso, Jonathan Finney, Dominick Felix, Andrew Tinkler, Phil Clieve, Felix Kemp and Annabel Bigland.
Performance details
Regents Opera presents Salome
York Hall, Bethnal Green, London
10, 11, 18, 21, 23 April at 7.30pm
Sunday 19 April at 6pm
Running time: 100 minutes
Cast and creatives
Salome: Kirsty Taylor-Stokes and Eleanor Dennis
Herodes: Holden Madagame and Robin Whitehouse
Jokanaan: Oliver Gibbs and Freddie Tong
Herodias: Deborah Humble and Mae Heydorn
Narraboth: James Schouten
The Page: Jessica Ouston and Natasha Elliott
Jews: Davide Basso, Andrew Friedhoff, Jonathan Finney, Dominick Felix, Andrew Tinkler
Nazarenes and Soldiers: Phil Clieve and Felix Kemp
A slave: Annabel Bigland
Conducted by: Ben Woodward
Directed by: Mark Ravenhill
Choreography by: Aletta Collins
Assistant Director: Eleanor Strutt
Assistant Musical Director: Guy Murgatroyd