Our Eyes Looking for God: free opera workshops in Chapel Allerton, Leeds
Two free creative workshops at Chapel Allerton Arts Centre on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 October 2026, 6pm to 8.30pm, linked to Our Eyes Looking for God, the new opera that sold out at the Barbican and comes to Leeds New Opera Festival in November. Both are free, open to anyone curious, and need booking.
At Chapel Allerton Arts Centre we believe opera, theatre and the arts are fun, exciting, diverse and need to be accessible to everyone. We're thrilled to be working with Northern Opera Group, Nubian Noire and the Barbican to bring this work into our neighbourhood and open it up to people who may never have thought opera was for them.
Our Eyes Looking for God is created and led by Black artists and tells Black British stories through rap, reggae and song. We'd love these workshops to feel like home to our neighbours in Chapeltown and Leeds' Black and African Caribbean communities, and to anyone who is simply curious.
Rehearsal Time for “Our Eyes Looking for God”, written and directed by TD Moyo, a co production by the Barbican and Northern Opera Group. Image courtesy of the Barbican.
What is Our Eyes Looking for God?
It describes itself simply: an opera, a ghost story, a love story. Written and directed by TD Moyo, with music by Ivor Novello award winning composer Renell Shaw and words by soprano and librettist April Koyejo-Audiger, it follows two cousins, Adjani and Kamal, on one last night out in Toxteth, Liverpool, before one of them leaves for London. It is a night of memories, celebration and goodbyes, and it does not end the way anyone hopes.
The music moves between rap, reggae and opera, played by a small band of keyboard, guitar, cello and percussion. TD Moyo began the piece after losing a brother in South London, and wrote it during 2020, when the world was talking about race and policing. In Moyo's own words it is "not an opera about the police, nor is it simply an opera about violence". It is about Black boys in their fullness and glory: their joy, their humour and how much they love each other.
Who is behind it?
The opera is a co production between the Barbican in London and Northern Opera Group, a Leeds charity that makes new opera and brings it to theatres and community spaces, with plenty of free ways for anyone to take part. (Not to be confused with Opera North, who are a different company.) After its London premiere it comes home to Leeds as the centrepiece of Northern Opera Group's Leeds New Opera Festival, in collaboration with Nubian Noire.
Chapel Allerton Arts Centre
Before the festival, Northern Opera Group wanted to open the work up to the community and get more people engaged and excited about Opera - see how diverse and creative and inclusive it can be. We are delighted that they chose to hold the workshops with us at Chapel Allerton Arts Centre bordering the neighborhoods of Chapeltown, Chapel Allerton, Meanwood and others. (If you are local you may know our building as the former Shoulder of Mutton pub.) Both workshops are free, run from 6pm to 8.30pm, and are open to anyone curious. You do not need to have been to an opera before but you do need to sign up on the links below.
Workshop 1: Thu 22 Oct: Our Eyes Looking for God with TD Moyo
A rare chance to meet the writer and director, get inside the text and try the performance skills it takes to make the show. Ideal for actors, singers, spoken word artists, students and anyone who wants to see how new theatre is made.
What you will actually do: read scenes from the script together, try them out on your feet with TD Moyo directing, and work on the voice, movement and delivery the show asks of its performers. You will also hear first hand how a play about grief and brotherhood became an opera that mixes rap, reggae and classical singing, and you can ask the director anything.
Book your free place for Thursday 22 October
Workshop 2: Fri 23 Oct: Ultramarine with April Koyejo-Audiger
Ultramarine is April's own new work in progress, blending opera with jazz, spirituals, African folk song and electronics. It explores colourism, ageing and the female voice. This session is a creative exploration of women's voice, visibility, ageing, storytelling and expression, and it is multigenerational: women of all ages are welcome.
What you will actually do: share and shape stories about being seen (or not seen) as a woman, as you get older and as a Black woman, and explore them through your voice: speaking, storytelling and some simple singing together, guided by April. You do not need to be a singer. Ultramarine is being built with people from Leeds, so what is made in the room may help shape the piece.
Book your free place for Friday 23 October
See the full opera at Leeds New Opera Festival
Leeds New Opera Festival takes place at Leeds School of Arts (Leeds Beckett University), Portland Way, Leeds LS1 3BP. Our Eyes Looking for God plays on Thursday 5 November at 7pm and Saturday 7 November at 2pm and 7pm, with the Ultramarine sharing on Saturday 7 November at 5.15pm. Tickets are pay what you can, starting at £10. The show is recommended for ages 15 and over.
Quick questions
Are the Our Eyes Looking for God workshops free?
Yes. Both workshops are free, but places are limited and you need to book through Northern Opera Group using the links above.
What time do the workshops start?
Both run from 6pm to 8.30pm. Please arrive for 6pm; the cast use the half hour before to set up.
Do I need opera or singing experience?
No. The workshops are open to anyone curious. The Friday session is for women of all ages and you do not need to be a singer.
Where is Chapel Allerton Arts Centre?
31 Potternewton Lane, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 3LW, a few minutes from Chapeltown. Find directions and contact details. (Previous names: Northlight Arts Centre, Inkwell, Shoulder of Mutton Pub)
How do I get there?
The centre is well served by regular bus routes between Leeds and Harrogate. The nearest bus stop is approximately a two-minute walk from the centre on Chapeltown / Harrogate Road. We have a free car park next to the Arts Centre if you are driving.
The details
What: two free opera workshops linked to Our Eyes Looking for God
When: Thursday 22 and Friday 23 October 2026, 6pm to 8.30pm
Where: Chapel Allerton Arts Centre, 31 Potternewton Lane, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 3LW
Cost: free, booking needed
In partnership with: Northern Opera Group, the Barbican and Nubian Noire
Our cafe bar will be open for refreshments during and after. Check out What’s On at Chapel Allerton Arts Centre. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook
Want to run your workshop here?
If you are planning a workshop, rehearsal, class or event of your own, we have rooms of different sizes and a friendly team. Find out about venue hire at Chapel Allerton Arts Centre or send us a message. We would love to host you.