Opera North's Carousel. Michael Rouse as Jigger (centre) and Michael Todd Simpson as Billy Bigelow (right) with the Chorus of Opera North and dancers. Photo Robert Workman Opera North’s hit production of the classic American musical, Carousel, returns to UK stages for a new tour following a sell-out run at the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris.

One of the greatest musical works of the 20th century, Carousel was composed by one of Broadway’s most successful and enduring partnerships, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, whose much-loved stage and screen legacy includes The Sound of Music, Oklahoma! and The King and I.

Asked if he had ever been tempted to write an opera, Richard Rodgers replied that he had, and that Carousel was the closest he had come to doing so. His score is studded with some of the most powerful, uplifting and moving music ever written for the stage, including If I Loved You, June is Bustin' Out All Over, and, of course, You'll Never Walk Alone. James Holmes, arguably today’s most expert interpreter of Rodgers’ score, returns to conduct.

Set in a tight-knit fishing community on the New England shoreline, Carousel revolves around the ill-fated affair between the charismatic but troubled Billy Bigelow and a young mill-worker, Julie Jordan. When they fall in love, little do they realise that Billy’s rebellious ways will end in tragedy. Billy is given a chance to make good, but is it too little too late, or will a lucky star save him and those he loves?

Casting includes Keith Higham (Billy), Gillene Butterfield (Julie), Aoife O'Sullivan (Carrie), Joseph Shovelton (Enoch), and Yvonne Howard (Nettie Fowler).

UK venues for the tour of Carousel in 2015 include Leeds Grand Theatre, Theatre Royal Norwich and Edinburgh Festival Theatre, before this beautifully staged production travels to the Republic of Ireland for further performances in Dublin.

2015 Tour Schedule

LEEDS, Grand Theatre

Wednesday 13 May – Saturday 23 May 2015

Booking via 0844 848 2700 or www.leedsgrandtheatre.com

NORWICH, Theatre Royal

Thursday 28 May – Saturday 30 May 2015

Booking via 0160 363 0000 or www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

EDINBURGH, Festival Theatre

Tuesday 2 June – Saturday 6 June 2015

Booking via 0131 529 6000 or www.edtheatres.com

DUBLIN, Bord Gais Energy Theatre

Wednesday 10 June – Saturday 13 June 2015

Booking via +353 (0) 1 677 7770 or www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie For more information visit the Carousel Website