19:00-19:45, Wednesday 9th September 2026
The Cockpit
Music: Louis Mander
Words: Louisa Petaï
1st February 1587. Mary, Queen of Scots, after twenty years of captivity, still remains imprisoned in Fotheringhay castle.
Unbeknownst to her, Queen Elizabeth I – her own cousin – has signed her death warrant.
She has only eight days left to live.
Haunted by her past and still protesting her innocence, in these final eight days Mary is confronted by the consequences of her decisions, grappling with her inner demons whilst remaining devoted to her faith.
As she braces herself for death, Mary, still a queen, deliberately sows the seeds for her own enduring legacy as martyr and icon.
In her end was truly her beginning.
Combining mesmerising and evocative music by Louis Mander and a powerful and moving libretto by Louisa Petaï, Eight Days is a one-woman opera which draws upon contemporary historical accounts and uses Mary’s own words above all.
Age range: All ages, but mostly adults.
In a festival of new work, please note that shows can often overrun.
Produced by Cantata Dramatica
Venue: The Cockpit, Gateforth Street, London NW8 8EH.
On the same day:
Composer & MD: Louis Mander Librettist & Producer: Louisa Petaï Actor/Dramaturg: Kieran Rayner Production Assistant: Olga Lavant Mary, Queen of Scots: Louisa Petaï
Composer & MD: Louis Mander
Librettist & Producer: Louisa Petaï
Voice Actor/Dramaturg: Kieran Rayner
Production Assistant: Olga Lavant
Production Assistant: Dominic Bujega-Lane
Mary, Queen of Scots: Louisa Petaï