Deloitte Ignite 15

With its grand classical portico fronting Bow Street the Royal Opera House (ROH) is a stunning building – but also a fairly intimidating one. For some overcoming the perception that this is a space for the privileged few is no easy task but for eight years Deloitte in partnership with the Royal Opera House has been helping do just that. The Deloitte Ignite Festival is designed to engage and stimulate new audiences and communities across the UK. This year inspiration is drawn from two of the Royal Opera House’s most popular works Carmen and Romeo and Juliet. The festival begins with a weekend of free activity on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September. "Chance upon characters from the Royal Opera House’s past on an immersive backstage tour and see for the first time ever free-climber, Lezard Bleus as Romeo, searching high and low across the outside of the building for his Juliet. Watch Shopera’s new version of Carmen weave in and out of the Covent Garden colonnade and learn about the history of the Royal Opera House through giant silks designed by Kinetika hung from the roof of the magnificent Paul Hamlyn Hall." The ROH is home to a array of craft skills – all vital to the final performance. Visitors can try for themselves in backstage arts workshops alongside Royal Opera House costume and prop makers. The event continues as a month-long festival that includes Insight events and productions from visiting companies including The Royal Ballet in Rehearsal, A Beginner’s Guide to Carmen and a Spotlight on Romeo and Juliet.   The Royal Opera House is offering an all singing, all dancing invitation to come and explore their world – so don't feel shy. Deloitte Ignite,3–27 September 2015, www.roh.org.uk/about/deloitte-ignite