Artists in Development News

Deirbhile Larkin is part of our ‘Artists In Development’ programme, which helps emerging creative and technical artists across a range of disciplines required in opera to access experience, skills and professional development opportunities. 

We’re delighted that we’ve been able to support Deirbhile this summer as she took up a position as Assistant Stage Manager with Opera Holland Park. 

Of the experience, Deirbhile says: ‘Thanks to Northern Ireland Opera, I have just completed my first overseas productions with Opera Holland Park. Whilst there, I have met some of the most amazing and creative individuals that have only helped me develop creatively, but learn new ways to build a production.

By doing both the main production and Young Artist production of the Barber of Seville, I got to see how different directors develop comedy and use their performers skills to enrich the lively score. As part of the Stage Management team, I learned to adapt to a large stage scale, facing new challenges of prop sourcing, making, and quite often the weather in the park!

Some of the highlights were sourcing props from the Royal College of Music, the National Theatre, and Angels Costumes, and of course seeing Holland House for the first time. I am delighted to return to Belfast and put my newfound confidence and skills to work for Eugene Onegin in September with both new and familiar faces.’

We look forward to welcoming her back to Belfast in September where she’ll be using her new knowledge and skills to work on our brand new production of ‘Eugene Onégin’ at the Grand Opera House.

Find out more about our new production of ‘Eugene Onégin’ here.