‘a genuine comedy... Dove’s score is bright, rhythmically insistent and pacy.’
- The Guardian on the world premiere of Marx in London (2018)

★★★★ - The Guardian
★★★★ - Bachtrack


London, 1871. The spectre of communism might be haunting Europe, but Karl Marx’s demons are far more mundane. Watched by a spy, chased by debt collectors, harried by his family (legitimate and not), and rescued repeatedly from financial ruin by Friedrich Engels, a single madcap day is the backdrop for a run of misadventures and mistakes. Marx might have envisioned an economic system that would restore order and equality to the workers of the world, but his own affairs are in chaos. Amidst this storm in a teacup, can he find an hour to write?

Marx in London! takes the great thinker off his pedestal, interweaving zany humour with moments of pathos and poignancy. For the UK premiere of Jonathan Dove’s opera, director Stephen Barlow (praised by The Arts Desk for his ‘slick’ Flight in 2018) and designer Yannis Thavoris (praised by Bachtrack for his ‘splendid’ Ariodante in 2016 and ‘ingenious’ Madama Butterfly in 2014) create a kinetic new production, plumbing the frivolity and profundity of one man’s existence.

This grand farce is led by Roland Wood (Il trittico 2023) as Karl Marx, with Orla Boylan and Lucy Schaufer as the long-suffering women in his life. Following their star turns in Candide (2022), Paula Sides and William Morgan reunite as Marx’s eager youngest daughter and her hapless suitor. Scottish tenors Alasdair Elliott (The Miserly Knight 2022) and Jamie MacDougall (Il trittico 2023) take the roles of Engels and the Spy respectively

Kindly supported by The Alexander Gibson Circle and Scottish Opera’s New Commissions Circle
Part of Scottish Opera's 2023/24 season

Mention opera and most people think of singing and music – but this is only part of the overall experience. What about scenery, costumes, lighting, direction and choreography? 

For those who are visually impaired, our audio description service provides a live commentary during the show, relating the action on stage without compromising the music. As part of the experience, a recorded introduction to the opera is available in advance, as well as a live audio introduction before the start of the performance. 

You can book tickets for audio-described performances via the venue box offices.

Theatre Royal Glasgow:
17 February 2024, 7.15pm

Festival Theatre Edinburgh:
24 February 2024, 7.15pm

Call your local box office to book, or book online. Discounts available. Guide dogs are welcome. Find out more