Scottish Opera
Summer School
For children aged 8 - 12
Looking for a performance-based activity for the school holidays? Scottish Opera has you covered!
Join us at the MacCabbra Opera House this summer! This July we're running a brand-new performance week for children aged 8-12 in Glasgow.
If you know a young person who loves to sing and dance, then The Curse of the MacCabbra Opera House is the perfect activity for them during the school holidays. The programme includes five jam-packed days of rehearsals, ending with a performance of our hilariously ghoulish opera for family and friends.
Our Summer School is open to all. You don't need to audition to take part, and you don't need to have sung in a choir or performed before. All that's required is lots of enthusiasm!
Dates & location
Monday 14 - Friday 18 July 2025
Scottish Opera Production Studios, 40 Edington Street, Glasgow, G4 9RD
9am - 4.30pm
Deadline to REGISTER: Friday 6 June
To register your child for the Summer School, please click below:
Further information
Join Scottish Opera for a week of singing, dancing and movement during the summer holidays! Throughout the week, children will learn actions, songs and dances guided by a team of theatre professionals to stage their very own opera, complete with fabulous costumes to bring the show to life.
Our Summer School is carefully structured to balance fun and stimulating high-energy rehearsals with regular periods of reflective downtime throughout the week. When not rehearsing, children will be supervised by our friendly and supportive pastoral care team, including first aiders.
Children don't need to audition to take part, and no experience of performing on stage is required – just lots of enthusiasm!
The Production Studios have step-free and lift access.
Venue:
Scottish Opera Production Studios
40 Edington Street
Glasgow
G4 9RD
Metered parking is available on Edington Street and the surrounding streets.
The nearest subway station is Cowcaddens (10 minute walk). Glasgow Queen Street and Glasgow Central stations are both a 20 minute walk from the Production Studios.
Drop off from 9am daily and collect by 4.30pm*
*Except Friday 18 July when parents and carers are invited to enjoy the end of week performance at 6pm.
On-site Willow Grove café is open daily from 8.30am - 5pm.
For comfort, we suggest your child wears relaxed, comfortable clothing that allows freedom of movement and is suitable for floor exercises.
Please bring a packed lunch each day and a re-fillable water bottle. Water fountains are available in the Production Studios.
Writer Libby Retto and her musical partner Compo Zerr are desperate to find success as the creators of a fabulous new opera, but so far, a brilliant idea for the theme of the show has escaped them.
They arrive at the creepy old MacCabbra Opera House- once a glorious theatre where sparkling shows packed with magical performers thrilled audiences night after night. But those days are long gone and now it’s a sad and empty shell- except for the mysterious owner Dee Parting, who promises that their opera will bring them unimaginable fame.
There’s only one catch; they must summon up the courage to spend a single night in the theatre – if they want fire up their creative genius and produce the best show they’ve ever written. But as Libby and Compo search for inspiration in the dark and sinister MacCabbra Opera House, it becomes clear that it is not as empty as they first thought...
If you have any questions about the Scottish Opera Summer School, please e-mail Madeleine Coxshott, Producer via the contact form below: