Angel’s Bone: Spring 2026
12 trainees undertook two weeks of paid placements with the production team on the production of Angel’s Bone at Aviva Studios, Manchester.
The trainees shadowed members of the ENO team: the show’s Stage Manager Rosie Davis, Lighting Supervisor Rik Cochrane and Head of Sound and video Sarah Weltman.
The trainees prepared for their placements with ENO by taking part in a four-week ‘Event Ready’ course, led by Factory Academy’s Technical Trainer, Miranda Parker, where they learnt the essentials of technical production from writing risk assessments to cabling, problem solving to setting up lighting rigs.
It’s a bit mind-boggling but it’s a wow moment every time I walk in here and I can't believe I'm working in an environment like this.Ryan Kerrigan, Factory Academy Trainee
For Angel’s Bone, each week focused on a different area of production including sound, lighting, and stage management.
Trainees attended Q&As with ENO’s Director of Production, Producer, Stage Manager and Lighting Supervisor, as well as the show’s Set/Costume and Sound Designers, learning about different career paths as well as gaining an insight into pre-production on the show.
They observed rehearsals including the studio run (the final run-through in the rehearsal room), Sitzprobe (the first meeting of the orchestra and cast) and Ensemble rehearsals.
ENO and Greater Manchester
As a dual-centre opera company, ENO presents work in both London and Greater Manchester as part of its pioneering partnership with the city-region. Across the country, ENO runs a wide-ranging programme of learning, participation, creative health and community engagement that supports emerging artists and opens opera up to people of all ages and backgrounds.
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