Over the past six months, Birmingham Opera Company has been bringing live opera into the heart of communities across Tipton, Smethwick and Wednesbury as part of the Sandwell Place Partnership Three 15 project. More than 15 Pop Up performances have already taken place, reaching over 7,450 people, including more than 2,223 young people, in locations ranging from libraries and parks to community centres, festivals and local events.
Rather than asking audiences to visit a traditional arts venue, the Pop Ups bring professional singers and pianists directly into the places people already know and use. Performances have taken place at locations including Lightwoods Park, local libraries, community centres, Wednesbury Town Hall, Picnic in the Park and Coneygre’s Festival of Girl, reaching people of different ages and backgrounds across the three areas.
For some, the performances have been their first unexpected encounter with live opera. Audiences have described the Pop Ups as “amazing” and “enchanting”, while others have said they were surprised by how much they enjoyed the experience.
That element of surprise has become an important part of the project. People might visit a library, park or community event without expecting to hear professional opera, only to find a live performance happening in the middle of a familiar space.
There are also signs that these encounters are developing into something longer lasting. Birmingham Opera Company has seen audience members begin to follow the Pop Ups from one location to another, asking where the next performance will take place and returning to experience opera again.
Taja Christian, Freelance Producer at Birmingham Opera Company, said: “What began as an unexpected encounter with opera for some has developed into an ongoing interest, with people actively seeking out the next opportunity to experience a performance.”
The Pop Ups support one of the central ambitions of Three 15: to make arts and culture easier to experience close to home. By placing professional performance directly within community settings, the programme is helping create opportunities for people to encounter new art forms without the barriers that can sometimes come with travelling to unfamiliar venues.
“One of the most encouraging things we’ve seen is how naturally the performances can become part of a community space,” Taja added. “The response from those communities has shown a real openness and appetite for experiencing opera in this way.”
Birmingham Opera Company is continuing to build relationships with local organisations and venues across Tipton, Smethwick and Wednesbury, with further Pop Ups planned as the project develops.
Keep an eye out for details of future creative opportunities and performance Pop Ups across Tipton, Smethwick and Wednesbury.
