THE passion, politics, romance, tragedy and thrills of one of the world’s best loved operas will be brought to life at Minehead’s Regal theatre when the Royal Opera Encore of Puccini’s Tosca, staged at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden, is screened at 7.15pm on Wednesday, January 19.

Set in 19th Century Rome, the production, starring Elena Stikina, Bryan Hymel and Alexey Markov, recreates the romantic world of an idealistic painter Cavaradossi and his sensuous lover Tosca, into which comes the malevolence of Baron Scarpia, Chief of Police, with fatal results.

From the demonic chords with which it famously begins, to the violent twist of the opera’s shock ending, the tension never lets up for a moment. Love and evil come - thrillingly - face to face in Jonathan Kent’s intense production.

The running time is three hours and 25 minutes, including two intervals.

Tickets cost £15.50, (Regal Film Society Film Society members/Friends, full-time students/unemployed £13, under 14s £10) and may be booked in advance online and at the Regal box office (01643 706430). between 9.30am and noon or by phone only from 1.30pm to 4pm, Monday to Saturday.

The Regal bar will be open for refreshments from 6.45pm. Some Covid restrictions remain in place to ensure that audiences and volunteers are protected.  

There will be one empty seat either side of individually booked seats or blocks of seats. Everyone will be asked to use the hand sanitiser provided and wear a face mask at all times, except when eating or drinking.