The Monstrous Child, Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House

Audiences are waiting eagerly to try out the new Linbury Theatre within the Royal Opera House, and for opera-lovers the wait ends with the first of eight performances of a new opera, The Monstrous Child on 21 Feb.

Suitable for children of eight and over, the story is based on the novel of the same name by Horrid Henry author Francesca Simon. A darkly humorous novel for teens, The Monstrous Child explores ordinary teenage angst in the extraordinary world of Norse gods, giants and the underworld.

'The Monstrous Child' is the perfect way to introduce a child to the magic of the new-look Royal Opera House. Photo: Luke Hayes

Hel is the daughter of Norse god Loki and the giantess Angrboda. She would be an ordinary teenager, except that she is half girl – and half dead. A prophecy predicts that Hel’s brothers are fated to bring forth the end of days. In an attempt to prevent this, the gods kidnap all three of Loki’s monstrous children and take them to Asgard. Here, Hel becomes infatuated with Baldr, son of Odin, the king of the gods. Hel is banished, but continues to dream of Baldr, whose unexpected arrival forces her to face up to reality...

The Monstrous Child is directed by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre artistic director Timothy Sheader, making his Royal Opera debut. Music is by the exciting young composer Gavin Higgins.

Jessica Cottis return to the ROH to conduct a cast including mezzo-sopranos Marta Fontanals-Simmons and Lucy Schaufer, soprano Elizabeth Karani, tenor Tom Randle, baritone Dan Shelvey and bass Graeme Broadbent.

Mezzo-soprano Lucy Schaufer appears in the Linbury Theatre's first opera, The Monstrous Child

Says Sarah Crabtree, creative producer for the Royal Opera remarked: 'It’s thrilling to be able to open a brand-new, intimate theatre fit to showcase the best in opera and music-making for generations to come. Our inaugural programme looks to the future with world premieres and back to our roots with a long overdue revival; it showcases exciting emerging talent alongside the finest theatre-makers of our time.'

But be sure to be quick off the mark when booking opens on Monday 24 September at 9am. Tickets will fly off the shelves.

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'The Monstrous Child' is sung in English with English surtitles. Performances last about two hours, including an interval.