Robert Shaw for Inside Intelligence

The Wanton Sublime & The Medium

Tarik O’Regan / Peter Maxwell Davies

Directed by: Robert Shaw

“What does it mean to be chosen?”

Inside Intelligence is proud to conclude its 20th anniversary season at the Arcola with the European premiere of The Wanton Sublime by twice Grammy-nominated composer Tarik O’Regan (Heart of Darkness) with a libretto by New York’s award-winning feminist poet Anna Rabinowitz (Darkling). This ground-breaking electro-acoustic work for mezzo-soprano and chamber ensemble explores the human and mythic aspects of the Virgin Mary, who struggles to retain her flesh and blood identity in the face of external forces intent on symbolising her as the ideal woman.

A one-act opera for an unaccompanied singer, The Medium is Peter Maxwell Davies’ most extraordinary and daring work.

Hai-Ting Chinn was a lead performer in the 2012-2014 world tour of Philip Glass’ and Robert Wilson’s expressionist masterpiece Einstein on the Beach. In 2009, she played the lead in the Wooster Group’s critically acclaimed production of Cavalli’s opera La Didone.

“Hai-Ting Chinn has it all: breathtaking beauty, poise, comic timing and a voice of pure gold.” Time Out

If you’re at Key Stage 3 and 4, check out Inside Intelligence’s free songwriting workshops with Ashley Slater.

European premiere


★★★★ “An invigorating and rewarding experience of rare quality” – Daily Telegraph

★★★★ “Barnstorming performances by Hai-Ting Chinn … Go to the Arcola and revel” – WhatsOnStage

★★★★ “Go and catch this show NOW.” – PlaysToSee

“A strikingly immersive experience” – The Stage

“Compelling” – Time Out

“An excellent piece” – Civilian Theatre


Post-show Q&A – Thursday 27 August

with Andrew Griffiths (conductor) Hai-Ting Chinn (singer), Anna Rabinowitz (librettist) and Robert Shaw (director)
Free for same-day ticket holders.


The Wanton Sublime by Tarik O’Regan
The Medium by Peter Maxwell Davies

The Wanton Sublime was commissioned and developed in New York by American Opera Projects.


The Wanton Sublime is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
The Wanton Sublime is generously sponsored by: The RVW Trust, The Hinrichsen Foundation, the Fidelio Charitable Trust, Judi Dench, Joanna Lumley.

Tuesday – Saturday evenings at 8pm
£15 / £12 concessions

Tickets are £10 or less with Arcola Passport

Running time: 90 minutes (including a 15-minute interval).
In Studio 2, seating is unallocated.