Our accessible afternoon performances make coming to a favourite opera as easy and stress-free as possible – keeping the drama on stage where it belongs!

With Dementia Friendly values at their core, these shortened performances of The Merry Widow are open to all. Performed by a full cast and orchestra, they also feature a presenter to introduce the story, characters and music from the opera. There are wheelchair spaces and extra staff on hand to help. There is also a smaller capacity to allow everyone space, and brighter lighting levels in the auditorium, giving you the flexibility and freedom to move about as required.

About The Merry Widow

Feisty, fabulous and filthy rich, Hanna Glawari is the merriest widow in New York, with a fortune in the bank, a lucrative lemon grove in Sicily, and a stampede of suitors vying for her attention. But money is power, and Mafioso Don Zeta recruits the many talents of wiseguy Danilo, the happiest bachelor in New York, to ensure Hanna’s millions don’t end up married to the wrong man, with license to use any means necessary. Little does Zeta know, however, that Hanna and Danilo have quite the history...

Kindly supported by Scottish Opera's Education Angels
Part of Scottish Opera's 2024/25 Season

• Audio description available at all Access Opera performances
• Shortened running times, including a 30 minute interval
• Afternoon start times for easier travel
• A presenter to introduce the story and characters, with The Orchestra of Scottish Opera and cast
• Additional front of house staff on hand to welcome you
• Doors open 45 minutes before the start – so there’s lots of time to get settled in
• Wheelchair spaces and extra staff on hand to help if you want to transfer
• Brighter lighting levels in the auditorium
• No need to keep quiet or sit still; you can come in and out of the auditorium during the show
• Lower capacity to allow everyone extra space
• Quiet areas available to take a break
• Enjoy tea and cake in the café beforehand!