A world première
Gods of the Game: a Football Opera
Corruption to Glory
A full orchestra in the pit, familiar opera tunes and a video chorus of football fans brings the thrill of the World Cup to the stage…
The world première of Gods of the Game takes place in the five-tier Surrey opera house adorned with football paraphernalia, from 6–16 October 2022.
Commissioned by Sky Arts, starring actor and comedian Lee Mack in the commentary box, Gods of the Game is a glorious celebration and a bitter condemnation of the world’s most popular sport.
Produced by Factory Films with Grange Park Opera for Sky Arts.
Performances take place at the Theatre in the Woods, KT24 6AN
An opera in two acts
Sung in English
Music: Five-a-side comprising of Julian Philips, Aran O’Grady, Ábel Esbenshade, Blasio Kavuma & Lucy Armstrong
Writer & Librettist: Phil Porter
World première: 6 October 2022
Cast & Creatives
VIKO, Football legend ∙ MICHEL DE SOUZA
EVA, Footballer & Viko’s childhood friend ∙ MILLY FORREST
SOREN, Viko’s rival ∙ DAVID WEBB
PRESIDENT ∙ ALAN EWING
MARTINA, a film-maker ∙ IDUNNU MÜNCH
COMMENTATOR ∙ LEE MACK (6 Oct, 8 Oct, 9 Oct)
COMMENTATOR ∙ LLOYD GRIFFITH (15 Oct, 16 Oct)
YOUNG FOOTBALL LEGEND ∙ RUFUS BATEMAN
DIRECTOR ∙ P J HARRIS
CONDUCTOR ∙ GEORGE JACKSON
DESIGNER ∙ JAMIE VARTAN
CHOREOGRAPHER ∙ LIZZI GEE
LIGHTING DESIGN ∙ MARK HENDERSON
VIDEO DESIGN ∙ DUNCAN McLEAN
SOUND DESIGN ∙ TOM MARSHALL
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ∙ HANNAH KUMARI
ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR ∙ THOMAS PAYNE
ORCHESTRA ∙ THE GASCOIGNE ORCHESTRA
CHORUS ∙ THE GRANGE PARK OPERA CHORUS
ACT 1
The footballing fraternity celebrate their glorious game and we meet footballing star Viko badgering his agent about money. He bumps into his childhood friend, Eva. They played football as children and they now both play professionally.
The world of football is run (not entirely honestly) by The President, Victor Puzzo. He gives an emotional interview to film-maker Martina and everyone is in his thrall.
At international Football HQ, countries are about to bid to host the 2030 World Cup. Viko, Eva and Soren captain will their respective teams and there are some old scores to settle. Eva and Martina haven’t seen one another for a while.
The bid is rigged and Soren wins. Martina begins to smell corruption.
ACT 2 One year later.
It is the women’s final – the penultimate match of the 2030 world cup – and Eva’s team are not doing well. At a post-match press conference Eva is questioned about rumours concerning her private life.
The situation is hopeless for Eva but Martina plans to bring down The President. She succeeds: the President will retire. But he merely appoints Soren as his successor.
It is the Men’s Final and the two captains, Viko and Soren, join the referee (who has been bribed) in the centre circle. Soren’s team attack with dirty tricks and fake injuries. Viko protests and is shown a yellow card.
In the tunnel, Viko is asked by the gleeful president if he is going to pull out. Eva convinces Viko he must continue. It is the second half and he is about to take a shot at goal. Soren fouls him. Is this the end of Viko? Or will the Gods of the Game smile on him?
Performance dates
The performance on Sun 9 Oct is being filmed for SkyArts
Thursday 6 October 3:30pm
Saturday 8 October 3:30pm
Sunday 9 October 3:30pm
Saturday 15 October 3:30pm
Sunday 16 October 3:30pm
Provisional running times
First Half: 3:30 – 4:20
Interval: 4:20 – 4:45
Second Half: 4:45 – 5:35