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DECEMBER 2025

Messiah

Returning for a third year, our innovative dramatisation of Handel’s legendary oratorio has received critical acclaim and standing ovations across the country. 

Performing the entire piece from memory, the singers bring music and story to life, with staging devised by theatre and opera director Tom Morris (Breaking the Waves, Dr Semmelweis, War Horse). 


The musicians of the Wild Arts Ensemble, playing period instruments, are directed by Wild Arts’ Artistic Director Orlando Jopling in this enthralling and moving production that has received standing ovations across the country.


Sofia Kirwan-Baez & Joanna Songi soprano
Martha Jones & Kate Symonds-Joy mezzo
Guy Elliott & Harry Jacques tenor
Timothy Nelson baritone
Edward Hawkins bass


Sijie Chen & Will McGahon violin
Hannah Shaw viola
George Ross cello
Marianne Schofield bass
Leo Duarte & Geoff Coates oboe
Chris Rawley bassoon
Brendan Lewis & Sam Lewis trumpet
Orlando Jopling harpsichord


 Running time: approx. 2 hours 30 minutes including interval 

photos from our Messiah at Smith Square Hall, 2024

Edward Hawkins (all photos by Steve Gregson)

    "A compelling and wonderfully engaged performance with a vivid sense of drama. I was carried away. The dramatic narrative that the eight singers brought to the music, reacting to events, was palpable, with the instrumental ensemble as powerfully alert as the singers."

    Robert Hugill, Planet Hugill

    Dates and Venues

    Festival Theatre, Malvern

    Tuesday 2 December, 7pm


    A new venue for 2025.


    Tickets 

    £48 I £38

    Book Now

    Smith Square Hall, London

    (Formerly St John's Smith Square)


    Saturday 7 December, 7pm


    We return to Smith Square following last year's sell-out performance. 


    Tickets

    £60 I £55 I £45 I £30 


    Booking opens to Wild Arts Patrons and Friends on Monday 23 June. General booking from Monday 30 June. 

    BOOK NOW

    New Theatre, Peterborough

    Thursday 11 December, 7pm


    A new venue for 2025.


    Tickets

    £54 I £44 I £34

    Booking opens on Monday 30 June

    Layer Marney Tower, nr. Colchester

    Sunday 14 December, 4pm


    Returning to Layer Marney for a third year. The toasty underfloor heating and atmospheric lighting of the opera barn makes this a very special festive treat. 


    Tickets 

    £65 | £45 | £35 

    Book Now

    Chichester Cathedral

    Tuesday 16 December, 7pm


    Returning for a third year following sold out performances in 2023 and 2024. 


    Tickets  

    £65 | £45 | £35 | £15 (unreserved seats in the side aisle, mostly with restricted view)

    Any seat £15 for everyone under 25.

    Book Now

    Chelmsford Cathedral

    Thursday 18 December, 7pm


    A second visit to this lovely cathedral venue. 


    Tickets

    £50 I £42 I £32 (may have restricted views) I £15 (may have restricted or obscured views)
    Any seat £15 for everyone under 25s 

    Book Now

    "Scaled down to the minimum, with soloists doubling as their own chorus and a tiny orchestra led from a chamber organ by Orlando Jopling, [Wild Arts' Messiah] delivered a paradoxically massive punch – enlarged by elements of theatre that had been programmed in by stage director Tom Morris. I’ve seen many a Messiah in my time but few as powerfully engaging as this little show which held me in its grip from start to finish."

    Michael White, Catholic Herald

    What our Audience says...

    “You have collectively raised the bar so high on the Messiah performance that I can never go back to an ordinary concert version. It was outstanding. We loved it. The drama in telling the story, the musicianship and the singing was wonderful. A thoroughly enjoyable evening.”  


     "Remarkable. I have never heard a performance of Messiah where the specific emotion of each movement was expressed so clearly, let alone one with any sense of underlying feeling - this was more than just a stirring recital of holy texts. Brilliant!" 


    “I know you had a standing ovation last night, but even that couldn’t capture the extraordinary feeling the show generated. I had to write.”  


    “Surely this is the only and best way to see the Messiah – total genius staging. Loved it.”  


    “I never want to hear Messiah any other way. The singers and players were excep onal. It was moving, and it had wonderful momentum and pulse which enhanced the meaning.” 


     "I just had to say how fantastic the Messiah was last night.. It was intimate and beautifully sung. 6 stars out of 5! If you did two nights I would go to both."


    "We just got home from your AMAZING performance of the Messiah. What a show - inclusive and uplifting. The musicians perfectly balanced; an unusual staging which was perfect and brilliant."

    Digital Programme

    Download PDF

    Messiah at the Art Workers' Guild, 2023

    Wild Arts's Messiah (All photos by Lucy J Toms)

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      Wild Arts, charity no. 1158366

      South Green Farmhouse, Fingringhoe, Colchester, CO5 7DP, United Kingdom

      01206 701707

      Copyright © 2022 Wild Arts - All Rights Reserved.


      Wild Arts is an Advanced Certificate Theatre Green Book company.

      All our tickets are sold via Ticket Tailor  – a carbon neutral B Corp who donate 1p from every ticket sold towards climate causes.

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