Comedian and actor Chris Addison will make his Royal Opera debut in February’s “fabulously frothy” L’Étoile in a role specially created by director Mariame Clément.
The hugely popular comedic performer best known for his roles in Armando Iannucci’s award-winning political satires In The Loop and Veep will play Smith, a role designed to provide a stereotypically English commentary in Chabrier’s eccentric piece.
Speaking about his forthcoming operatic debut, Addison commented: “I am stupidly excited to be appearing at Covent Garden in L’Étoile, a production which combines two of my great loves: insanely beautiful opera and deep, joyful silliness.
“I had assumed that Mariame Clément and Sir Mark Elder had cast me on the basis of my “certainly unique and borderline terrifying” (The Wiltshire Times) interpretation of The Queen Of The Night at the 2003 Chippenham’s Got Talent quarter-final, but both claim not to be aware of it. Whatever, it’s a pleasure and a privilege to be getting to share a stage with such a talented cast. Not least as I now don’t have to buy a ticket.”
Long time followers will not find this surprising. I’m ridiculously excited. https://t.co/OIQ9TQ8hwl
— Chris Addison (@mrchrisaddison) January 5, 2016
The star, whose numerous television credits also include Doctor Who, Trying Again and comedy panel shows Mock The Week, Have I Got News For You and QI, will appear in the opera alongside a cast including French actor Jean-Luc Vincent, whose role has similarly been created to offer the French perspective opposite Addison’s Smith.
L’Étoile runs at the Royal Opera House from 1 to 24 February.