Opera has a reputation. For many, it summons images of Viking helmets, shattering glass, and tragic heroines singing in languages they don’t understand. But what happens when you take those soaring arias and collide them head-on with the infectious energy of pop music?
You get The Opera Locos.
Running from 24 – 28 February 2026 at Sadler’s Wells, this award-winning show by the outstanding Spanish company Yllana is turning the genre on its head. It’s a spectacular love story told through a mashup of opera classics and greatest hits from the likes of Whitney Houston, Mika, Frank Sinatra, and Elton John.
Whether you are a seasoned “melomaniac” who knows your Aida from your Carmen, or someone who has never set foot in an opera house, this show promises a night of theatre unlike any other.
A Cast of Eccentric Characters
At the heart of the show is a troupe of five colourful, distinct characters, each bringing a unique flavour to the stage. They are not just singers; they are physical comedians, clowns, and storytellers all rolled into one.
The lineup includes:
- Alfredo: A worn-out tenor clinging to a glorious past.
- Enrique: A baritone defined by his precise, macho swagger.
- Franelli: A quirky, pop-loving counter-tenor.
- Maria: A dreamy and naive soprano.
- Carmen: A wild, unpredictable mezzo-soprano.
Bringing these personalities to life requires more than just vocal talent. According to the cast, the process starts with finding the physical language of the character—a specific gait, posture, or gesture developed through improvisation.
“It has a lot to do with discovering the unique clown each actor has inside, and allowing it to show itself, to emerge,” the team explains. This approach ensures that even without spoken dialogue, the audience understands exactly who these people are and what they are feeling.
Balancing Heartbreak with Hilarity
One of the most intriguing aspects of The Opera Locos is how it balances the emotional weight of opera with the lightness of comedy and pop. You might assume that the serious moments belong to opera and the fun moments to pop, but the show proves that music isn’t that binary.
“Emotional depth and playful energy are not exclusive to a particular genre,” the company notes. “Opera can beautifully convey playful energy and this is demonstrated many times in the show.”
The secret lies in coherence. Every song choice, whether it is a Puccini aria or a Whitney Houston ballad, is aligned with the character’s emotional state. If the emotion is honest, the stylistic blend feels natural rather than forced. This allows the audience to transition from laughter to genuine emotion in the blink of an eye.
The Art of Physical Comedy
Yllana is renowned for physical comedy, and The Opera Locos is no exception. However, integrating slapstick and clowning with the rigorous demands of operatic singing is a technical tightrope walk.
The singing comes first, and maintaining high standards of vocal technique is paramount,” the performers emphasise.
To make it work, they often have to adapt their movements during the most demanding vocal passages, finding postures that support the voice without breaking the comedic flow. The result is a seamless performance where the comedy enhances the music rather than distracting from it.
A Visual Feast
From the moment the curtain rises, the visual impact is undeniable. The performers appear in eccentric blue and gold costumes, complete with bold wigs and vibrant makeup. They pose inside a gold frame lined with roses and lightbulbs, immediately establishing a tone of theatricality and fun.
For the cast, preparing for the show is a “focused, ritualistic process.” Once the base layers and makeup are applied, the transformation begins.
“Bold costume silhouettes and colourful wigs instantly communicate personality and comic archetypes,” they share.
“The eccentric visual palette helps to immediately capture attention… making every musical moment feel larger, more theatrical and more memorable.”
Why It Works for Everyone
Perhaps the greatest achievement of The Opera Locos is its universal appeal. It breaks down the “fourth wall,” creating direct contact with the audience that keeps the energy high and the engagement intense.
By preserving the beauty and power of the original arias while framing them in a comedic context, the show acts as a bridge. It invites newcomers to appreciate the grandeur of opera without intimidation, while offering aficionados a fresh, joyous perspective on the music they love.
Whether you are there for the high notes, the physical gags, or simply to see how Elton John fits into an opera, The Opera Locos delivers a night of totally unique, wildly passionate entertainment.
Event Details
- Show: Yllana: The Opera Locos
- Dates: 24 – 28 February 2026
- Venue: Sadler’s Wells, London
- Tickets: Prices from £18.00 (+ £4.00 transaction fee)
Don’t miss the chance to see the show where Puccini meets Elvis. Book your tickets now and get ready to fall in love with opera all over again.
For a closer look behind the scenes, the performers shared their creative process and insights in this revealing Q&A:
Q. The Opera Locos combines opera classics with pop hits from artists like Whitney Houston and Elton John. How do you approach balancing the emotional depth of opera with the playful energy of pop music in your performance?
A. Emotional depth and playful energy are not exclusive to a particular genre. You might be inclined to think that if a character is feeling exuberant, pop would provide the spark, and if she’s feeling heartbroken opera provides the depth. Though true, it can also work the other way around. Opera can beautifully convey playful energy and this is demonstrated many times in the show.
Balance is achieved through coherence, and by making sure the songs and arias are aligned with the overall style and artistic framework, and with the emotional state of the character. If you believe the emotion, the stylistic blend will read as honest and compelling.
Q. Each of your characters has such a distinct personality, from Alfredo’s worn-out tenor to Carmen’s wild mezzo-soprano. How do you bring these colourful characters to life on stage and do you find any personal connection to them?
A. We start by developing unique traits for each character, like a specific gait, posture or gesture. These are developed through improvisation and by finding out how best each character expresses contrasting emotions, be it through movement, gesture, dance or song. It also has a lot to do with discovering the unique clown each actor has inside, and allowing it to show itself, to emerge.
Q. Physical comedy is a big part of the show´s charm. How do you integrate comic timing and movement with the technical demands of singing opera?
A. The singing comes first, and maintaining high standards of vocal technique is paramount. To ensure this we reduce unnecessary motion during high demanding vocal passages, or by finding posture changes that naturally support the voice.
Q. The Opera Locos is described as a show for everyone, from opera enthusiasts to complete newcomers. How do you ensure the performance resonates with such a diverse audience?
A. In Opera Locos, the beauty and power of the arias are preserved and felt intensely, even in a comedic context, with the visual comedy keeping the energy high. We also break down the fourth wall to achieve a direct contact with the audience. This combination works wonderfully well, even with the most demanding audiences: experts, melomaniacs, and … children.
Q. The costumes, wigs, and makeup are so vibrant and eccentric. Can you share what it’s like preparing for the show and how these visual elements enhance your performance?
A. Preparing for the show is a focused, ritualistic process. After a brief warm up, of breath work and dynamic stretches, you start by putting on base costume layers and makeup. Once in full costume you make sure nothing restricts breathing or balance. Bold costume silhouettes and colourful wigs instantly communicate personality and comic archetypes. The eccentric visual palette helps to immediately capture attention and establish tone. It heightens the audience’s engagement, making every musical moment feel larger, more theatrical and more memorable.