Overview

Joseph De Rocher faces death by lethal injection for the brutal and senseless murder of two teenagers. While Joseph refuses to accept his guilt, we follow the religious and personal struggles of Sister Helen Prejean. She offers him spiritual guidance and witnesses the unbearable pain felt by the victim’s families, who’ve been left devastated by Joseph’s horrific and unforgivable crimes.

Will Sister Helen succeed in getting the confession the families deserve? Or will Joseph maintain his innocence to the very end?

Discover more about the story of Dead Man Walking on our dedicated page.

Staging & Score

Based on a true story from the memoir of Sister Helen and adapted into an Oscar-winning film starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn, the conflicting drama plays out behind the bars of a high-security United States prison.

Contrasted by a beautiful and poignant score composed by Jake Heggie – Musical America’s 2025 Composer of the Year – Dead Man Walking is the most widely performed opera of the 21st century.

Singers & Creatives

The powerful lead roles of Sister Helen and Joseph are sung by two of opera’s biggest names – Christine Rice and Michael Mayes – while making a welcome return to the ENO stage, Joseph’s mother is played by Dame Sarah Connolly.

Directed by Annilese Miskimmon, ENO’s Artistic Director and conducted by Kerem Hasan, one of Britain’s most exciting young conductors.

Co-produced with Opera North and Finnish National Opera. Principal Production Sponsors: George and Patti White.

This production has been made possible through the generous support of a syndicate comprising Barbara Bannister, Nicola Kerr, Harriet & Michael Maunsell, Tony & Criona Mackintosh, J.S. Murdoch, Professor Mick Peake OBE, Kate Olver & Jeremy Young, and Elizabeth Wright.