Following the success of Damon Albarn's Monkey: Journey to the West, ENO presents the London premiere of Albarn's visionary new opera Dr Dee.
Although largely unknown today, Doctor Dee was the quintessential Renaissance Man. From astrology to alchemy and physics to philosophy, his thirst for knowledge was insatiable and, as a key advisor to Elizabeth I, he is credited with providing much of the intelligence which shaped 'the British Empire' established under her rule.
Dee also dabbled in the occult and, ultimately, this fascination destroyed him. Conned by a deranged medium, Dee's career ended in disgrace and sexual scandal and he died discredited and penniless.
This fascinating figure is brought to life by the extraordinary talents of composer and musician Damon Albarn, and director Rufus Norris. Albarn's music is an ingenious mix of pop vocals, much of which he will perform live on-stage, with contemporary orchestral music played on 16th-century period instruments. Rufus Norris's staging presents five centuries of English history and the three realms of earth, heaven and hell, with the virtuosic flair which has secured him a raft of awards and five-star reviews from London to Broadway.
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square (125m) Charing Cross/Embankment (275m)
Nearest Train: Charing Cross (275m)
Buses: The following buses stop in the Haymarket (Southbound) or Lower Regent Street (Northbound): 3, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 22, 23, 24, 29, 38, 88, 91, 94, 139, 159, 176, 453
Nearest Car Park: Masterpark at Trafalgar Square and Whitcomb Street. NCP at Bedfordbury (behind theatre). Nearest taxi rank in Haymarket.
Radio-wave system in the auditorium and induction loop at box office and all bars.
Guide dogs allowed into auditorium, alternatively staff are happy to dog sit in the manager's office.
10 spaces for wheelchair/scooter users in total: 2 at back of Dress circle, 4 in Stall boxes and 4 at back of Stalls (companions can sit beside the wheelchairs users). 10 wheelchair/scooter transfer spaces: 4 in Dress Circle and 6 in Balcony. Theatre also provides 2 wheelchairs for loan.
No steps to toilets off the foyer. More toilets at Dress Circle, Upper Circle (women's 10 steps up), Balcony and Basement.
Adapted toilets at Basement, Stalls, Dress Circle (no steps from lift) and Balcony levels.
Good leg room in stalls; B1-4, B33-36, C1 and C39 in the Stalls provide the best leg room.
No steps to Stalls bar and bars in rear Stalls corridor. Further bars at Balcony, Upper and Dress Circles can be accessed by main lift. Dutch Bar on basement level (reachable by lift) accessed by platform lift or down 3 steps. Drinks cannot be taken into the auditorium.
Telephones are 10 steps down from the foyer