The Chocolate Soldier

Oscar Straus
Sung in English

Director Jeff Clarke
Conductor James Ham
Designer Elroy Ashmore
Lighting Design Callum Macdonald

New English book and lyrics: Jeff Clarke, based on George Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man
New Orchestral Arrangement: James Widden

We are thrilled to welcome back Jeff Clarke and the brilliant Opera della Luna, supremos of comic opera, for a brand-new production of The Chocolate Soldier by the Viennese master of cabaret, Oscar Straus. 

Oscar Straus’s 1908 opéra bouffe is closely based on George Bernard Shaw’s classic anti-war play Arms and the Man. Shaw was very opposed to his play being turned into a piece of musical theatre and refused to have anything to do with it. The Chocolate Soldier soon became a worldwide success, earning far more in royalties than Shaw’s celebrated play ever did. 

Shaw’s work is now out of copyright, and Jeff Clarke has created a new version of the show, restoring much of Shaw’s witty dialogue, and re-instating his original characters. This will be the first fully-staged professional production in the UK since 1940, full of charm, wit and warmth - delivered with Opera della Luna’s signature sparkle and inventiveness.