Exeter Northcott Theatre: Guy Fenton from Tiverton to play 'Harry' in Britten's 1947 opera 'Albert Herring' Thursday 24 & Saturday 27 October 2012

Mark Wilde is Albert Herring
(photo: Richard Hubert Smith)

Exeter Schoolboy, 14,

to sing in major opera company’s national tour

·        A schoolboy from Tiverton is to sing a prominent role in English Touring Opera’s new national tour of Benjamin Britten’s opera Albert Herring

·        Guy Fenton, aged 14, is from Tiverton. He will play the schoolboy Harry in ETO’s performances of Albert Herring at Exeter Northcott Theatre on Thursday 25 October and Saturday 27 October, and also in Bath and Malvern

·        ETO’s national tour opened on 4 October in London at the Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House, and takes in nine towns and cities across the country this October and November

·        ETO’s visit to Exeter also features two highly dramatic operas: Peter Maxwell Davies’ psychological mystery The Lighthouse performed on Wednesday 24 October, and Viktor Ullmann’s dark satire The Emperor of Atlantis, written in a concentration camp during World War II, performed on Friday 26 October

·        Booking and further information: www.englishtouringopera.org.uk

An Exeter schoolboy plays a prominent role in English Touring Opera’s (ETO) national tour of Benjamin Britten’s Albert Herring, which comes to Exeter Northcott Theatre on Thursday 25 and Saturday 27 October.

Guy Fenton, 14, from Tiverton, is a pupil at King’s College Taunton, and has sung in major productions in Bristol, Coventry and Exeter. He sings the part of cheeky schoolboy Harry in ETO’s Exeter performances of Albert Herring. The production opened earlier in October in London’s Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Guy was a chorister at Exeter Cathedral from 2007-2011, becoming principal soloist in the choir. When auditions were announced, he was recommended for the part of Harry by Andrew Millington, the director of music from the cathedral. As well as the performances in the Northcott, Guy will also be singing the same role later in the tour, at Bath’s Theatre Royal and Malvern’s Forum Theatre.

Albert Herring, a satire with undertones of melancholy, has become recognised as a classic, comic depiction of English village life. ETO’s new production, conducted by Michael Rosewell and directed by Christopher Rolls, includes many experienced and award-winning singers including Jennifer Rhys-Davies, and Mark Wilde in the title role. The role of Harry is being shared across ETO’s tour by four boys.

Guy said: “I was so excited when I found out I had got the part. It’s been such a great experience working with a professional company like ETO. I’ve enjoyed meeting all the cast and crew who have been very friendly, and it’s been so much fun to work with everyone".

Guy’s mother Sarah Fenton said: "It's been fascinating to get an insight into the work that goes on behind the scenes before a large production takes to the road. Everybody has been very supportive of Guy and it’s been an amazing experience for both of us."