ETO to move to Sheffield

English Touring Opera (ETO) has today named the South Yorkshire city of Sheffield as its new home. The company will relocate its offices by the end of October 2024 as part of the Arts Council England Transfer Programme.

The company will move to a temporary office base in Sheffield by October 2024 before moving to a permanent home in 2025. ETO will continue to rehearse and open its tours at London’s Hackney Empire in 2025, and will aim to open in Sheffield from the Spring 2026 season.

ETO general director Robin Norton-Hale said: ‘We have built strong links with local audiences in the city over more than two decades of performing at the Lyceum Theatre, and we have always been struck by the warmth and enthusiasm we encounter in Sheffield. The city’s thriving cultural scene makes it an ideal base for touring our work across the country, and we are looking forward to getting to know the people of Sheffield better, with plans for a community opera in 2026 and long-term partnerships with arts, community and educational organisations. We are very grateful for the time and energy of all the theatres, government bodies, businesses and local institutions that took part in this process. With Opera North touring from Leeds, and English National Opera’s new base in Greater Manchester, we are excited about the possibilities to grow the audience for this thrilling and multi-faceted artform across the North of England and beyond.’

The decision follows a consultation process with ETO staff, performers and technical teams, and with partner venues and organisations, local councils and schools to ensure the ‘greatest positive impact on the widest possible audience’. In today’s press release ETO describes Sheffield as ‘ideally located’ for its touring cycle and describes the relocation as ‘a natural extension of the company’s mission to make exceptional artistic experiences available to all.’

The move builds on ETO’s existing work in Sheffield including tours to local theatres and work with Sheffield Music Hub and partner schools. With its new base in the city, ETO aims to deepen its relationship with local theatres and form new partnerships with organisations including Music in the Round, the new South Yorkshire Music Hub and Sheffield Hallam and Sheffield Universities.

Councillor Martin Smith, chair of the economic skills and development committee at Sheffield City Council, said: ‘There is so much going on in the city in the way of arts and creativity and we are delighted that English Touring Opera will be part of this going forward. I'd like to extend a warm welcome to them on behalf of the Council and the city.’