A co-production with Opera North and Finnish National Opera, Dead Man Walking played at the London Coliseum from 1–18 November 2025 to critical acclaim, receiving five-star reviews and a powerful response from audiences.
The production featured an outstanding cast, including Christine Rice as Sister Helen Prejean, Michael Mayes as death row inmate Joseph De Rocher, Dame Sarah Connolly as his mother, and Jacques Imbrailo as Owen Hart. They were joined by the Chorus and Orchestra of ENO, conducted by Kerem Hasan.
With music by Jake Heggie and a libretto by Terrence McNally, Dead Man Walking is widely regarded as one of the most important operas of recent decades, confronting profound questions of justice, mercy and forgiveness with extraordinary emotional depth.
“Dead Man Walking is an extraordinary opera, and it has meant a great deal to bring this work to ENO audiences. We’re deeply grateful to Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally for creating such a remarkable piece, and to Sister Helen Prejean, whose courage and compassion continue to inspire everyone who encounters this story. It is a real honour to see the production recognised with an Olivier Award.”Annilese Miskimmon, ENO Artistic Director
“We’re thrilled that Dead Man Walking has been recognised with an Olivier Award. This was a hugely important production for ENO, and I am immensely proud of the artists, musicians, creative team and staff whose talent and dedication made it possible. This award is a wonderful recognition of the power of opera to engage with the most profound and challenging human questions.”Jenny Mollica, Chief Executive of ENO
Production Images
ENO Dead Man Walking 2025: Production Images
View images from ENO’s 2025 production of Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally’s Dead Man Walking
More about Dead Man's Walking
An Introduction to Dead Man Walking
