Satirical operetta in three acts by David Sawer
Libretto by Armando Iannucci
Sung in English with German surtitles
World premiere at Leeds Grand Theatre 16.01.2009

17 August 2009 – 6.30 p.m., Festival Theatre

Skin deep, the latest work by the British composer David Sawer, is a highly topical and razor-sharp satire about our obsession with the body beautiful and eternal youth. The operetta is set in the clinic of the much sought-after cosmetic surgeon Doctor Needlemeier, whose motto is "Putting right what nature got wrong". Nipping and tucking, lifting, enhancing, correcting, transplanting and similar operations are the stuff of Skin deep, which takes a humorous look at the folly of people whose great aim in life is to find the fountain of youth - and to charge for bathing in it.

The composer David Sawer, born in Stockport (England) in 1961, sees himself as a "theatre person who writes music". From the beginning of his career it has been important to him to compose works which comply with the principles of theatre. Skin deep - commissioned by the Bregenz Festival as a co-production with Opera North, Komische Oper Berlin and Royal Danish Opera - is his first collaboration with the hugely popular Scottish comedian, writer and satirist Armando Iannucci, who has scripted many successful TV and radio comedy programmes in the UK.

Click here to watch the promotional trailer!

Click here to watch the visitor statements!

Orchestra, chorus, dancers & extras of Opera North, Leeds

Commissioned by the Bregenz Festival as a co-production with Opera North, Komische Oper Berlin and Royal Danish Opera

First performance in Austria

World premiere at Leeds Grand Theatre, 16 January 2009

Duration: 2 2⁄3 hours, break after Act II.
Introductory talk in the Festival Opera House 6.30 pm

Operetta discount: three operettas for the price of two! Book two operettas and get free admission to the third!