Youth Opera Ireland presents its debut company performance: The Wish Thief by Leighton Jones and Jonathan Ainscough.
YOI is on a mission to empower young voices through opera giving children and young people a platform to create, perform, and discover their artistic potential. Our upcoming 2026 production, The Wish Thief, is an imaginative new opera that will be co-created with young performers from across Ireland.
**Limited tickets available for matinee (2pm) and evening (6pm) shows**
In a town where children are sent to become model citizens, everything is pristine, ordered and efficient. Life is perfect under the watchful eyes of the town’s Council and their revered Leader – and if the endless rules ever feel a bit exhausting, people can discreetly throw a coin into the old well in the town’s park and, for a moment, dream of a different life. Not that those wishes would ever come true of course! Why would anything need to change in such a perfect place? Featuring Galway Baritone David Kennedy (The Conjuror), and Ami Hewitt (Council Leader).
Music by Leighton Jones
Libretto by Jonathan Ainscough and Leighton Jones
Orchestrations by Matthew Owens and Leighton Jones
Director Niamh McGowan
Musical Directors Naoise Whearity and Ciarán Kelly
‘The Wish Thief’ is sung in English with English surtitles.