The Headless Soldier
The Headless Soldier
Music by Conor Mitchell
Libretto by Mark Ravenhill
November 2023
A captivating three-part operatic experience created by Conor Mitchell & Mark Ravenhill.
The Headless Soldier is a poignant and thought-provoking work that delves beneath the surface of a seemingly ideal life, revealing the hidden conflicts that lie much closer to home.
With evocative storytelling and masterful composition, Mark Ravenhill and Conor Mitchell explore the complexities of family dynamics, love, and the internal battles we all face.
This production marks a significant milestone as two of the UK’s most vital and influential queer voices unite to create a powerful new operatic experience, in collaboration with Outburst Queer Arts Festival.
Blending multimedia elements with live performances by international soloists and chamber orchestra, this captivating combination of art forms transports audiences into a world of emotion, tension, and discovery.
Performance Diary
2024
Outburst Queer Arts Festival - Lyric Theatre - Belfast
Reviews
“a provocative operatic triptych”
“harrowing yet musically beautiful”
Alan Meban - Alan In Belfast
Jane Hardy - Belfast Times
CAST
Conor Mitchell
Beki Bateson
Bethany Simpson
Aoife Magee
Ruth McCarthy
Sarah Williams
Ed Lyon
Sarah Richmond
Christopher Cull
Shea McDonnell
Thomas
Helen
The Headless Soldier
Zachary
Clare Hadwen
Meabh Martin
Aoife Magee
Elias Rooney
Roger McCann
Andrew Douglas
Ryan Dougherty
Ciaran McQuaid
Anne Harper
Pamela Stainer
Nathan Moore
Rhiann Hanson
Jelena Makarova
Janice Kit Ting Tsui
Ronan McKee
Fionnuala Ward
Leader / Violin I
Violin II
Viola
Cello
Double Bass
Flute
Oboe
Clarinets
Trumpet
Trombone
Harp
Piano
Celesta / Synth
Percussion
Répétiteur
STAGING
INSTRUMENTS
Credits
Director
Conductor
Set & Costume
Lighting
AV
Sound
Associate Director
Assistant Director / Stage Manager
Technicians
Chaperone
Placement Students
MANAGEMENT
Artistic Director
Executive Consultant
Company Manager
Orchestral Associate
Artistic Director (Outburst)
Executive Director (Outburst)
Conor Mitchell
Tom Deering
Tracy Lindsay
Mary Tumlety
Gavin Peden
Ian Vennard
Matthew Cavan
Jonathan Rainey Reid
Declan Paxton
Jonny Daley
Jolene McDonnell
Joel Richards Fisher
Eimear Reevey
Jack O’Hara
Credits
CAST
Ed Lyon
Sarah Richmond
Christopher Cull
Shea McDonnell
Thomas
Helen
The Headless Soldier
Zachary
INSTRUMENTS
Clare Hadwen
Meabh Martin
Aoife Magee
Elias Rooney
Roger McCann
Andrew Douglas
Ryan Dougherty
Ciaran McQuaid
Anne Harper
Pamela Stainer
Nathan Moore
Rhiann Hanson
Jelena Makarova
Janice Kit Ting Tsui
Ronan McKee
Fionnuala Ward
Leader / Violin I
Violin II
Viola
Cello
Double Bass
Flute
Oboe
Clarinets
Trumpet
Trombone
Harp
Piano
Celesta / Synth
Percussion
Répétiteur
STAGING
Conor Mitchell
Tom Deering
Tracy Lindsay
Mary Tumlety
Gavin Peden
Ian Vennard
Matthew Cavan
Jonathan Rainey Reid
Declan Paxton
Jonny Daley
Jolene McDonnell
Joel Richards Fisher
Eimear Reevey
Jack O’Hara
Director
Conductor
Set & Costume
Lighting
AV
Sound
Associate Director
Assistant Director /
Stage Manager
Technicians
Chaperone
Placement Students
MANAGEMENT
Conor Mitchell
Beki Bateson
Bethany Simpson
Aoife Magee
Ruth McCarthy
Sarah Williams
Artistic Director
Company Manager
Orchestral Associate
Associate Producer
Supported by
