Entertainment · Film · 8 hrs ago
English National Opera stages a politically charged Tosca in London
English National Opera has staged Puccini’s Tosca at the London Coliseum in London.
Director Annilese Miskimmon moves the story from its original historical setting to an unnamed country under a repressive regime; reviews differ on whether the setting is contemporary or around 1980.
The opera follows artist Mario Cavaradossi as he helps an escaped resistance leader, while singer Floria Tosca is drawn into the conflict by police chief Scarpia.
Scarpia uses his power to pursue Tosca and target Cavaradossi, bringing love, political repression and danger together.
Axelle Fanyo plays Tosca, Chaz’men Williams-Ali plays Cavaradossi and Christopher Purves plays Scarpia, whose performance is singled out for praise.
Reviews praise the performances but disagree about the staging: some find the set overwhelms the action, while another calls the production thrilling and resonant.
The production is scheduled to run until 11 December 2026.
English National Opera’s production of Puccini’s Tosca opened at the London Coliseum on 30 October 2026.
Director Annilese Miskimmon relocates the opera’s story of love, power and political repression to an unnamed European country under a hostile regime.
Axelle Fanyo stars as Floria Tosca, with Chaz’men Williams-Ali as Mario Cavaradossi and Christopher Purves as Scarpia.
The production is scheduled to run until 11 December 2026.
Reviews praised the performances and political themes, while The Reviews Hub criticised the cavernous set design for weakening the drama.
- Who
- English National Opera, directed by Annilese Miskimmon, is staging the production. Axelle Fanyo, Chaz’men Williams-Ali and Christopher Purves star.
- What
- A new production of Giacomo Puccini’s opera Tosca, reimagined amid political repression.
- When
- It opened on 30 October 2026 and is scheduled to run until 11 December 2026.
- Where
- The London Coliseum in London.
- Why
- The production explores love, power, sacrifice and the repression of the arts under a malevolent regime.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
English National Opera’s production was reviewed at the London Coliseum.
The production is scheduled to run at the London Coliseum.
- Composer
- Giacomo Puccini
- Director
- Annilese Miskimmon
- Venue
- London Coliseum, London
- Tosca
- Axelle Fanyo
- Scheduled run
- Until 11 December 2026
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What people are saying
I have lived for art, I have lived for love.