Borka Teaser Trailer:

John Burningham, the writer & illustrator of Borka, created a beautiful world for our tenacious but flawed heroine.  Burningham often used elements of his own life & experiences in his story telling & always favoured the underdog over more traditional protagonists.  Ignite Music invite you into the world of Borka, including the vivid colours and illustrations from the book alongside live performance, as you join her in the marshes on the East coast of England and travel with her on her adventures as she makes new friends and life changing discoveries... 

Borka: The Opera was created in 2014 by librettist Tim Yealland and composer Russell Hepplewhite, based on the story book by John Burningham.  It toured the UK as part of the English Touring Opera Spring season, culminating in a magical series of performances at Kew Gardens, attended by John himself.  

2023 marks the 60th Anniversary of publication for Borka: The Adventure of a Goose with No Feathers.  Ignite Music, specialists in new classical music for young people, have been tasked by The John Burningham Estate to create a new production to mark this important achievement.

The libretto & score are ready, the puppets are almost done, the set is being built, and the cast have been chosen.  It won't be long now until Borka takes her next flight!

Ignite Music celebrates 60 years since the publication of John Burningham’s touching tale, Borka: The Adventures of a Goose with no Feathers, with a magical 45 minute children’s opera by Tim Yealland (Librettist) and Russell Hepplewhite (Composer) aimed at 5-7 years but suitable for all the family.

Borka, the goose, is different from her brothers and sisters, she has no feathers! When her family fly south for the winter, Borka, begins her own journey of discovery, making new friends, understanding it’s ok to be different, and ultimately finding her forever home.

Weaving live music, drama, singing, puppetry, and animation, four classically trained singers are accompanied by viola, bassoon & percussion.