As part of their commitment to net zero, the Royal Opera House is making theatre productions more sustainable. In 2021, they set a target to reach net zero for scopes 1 & 2 by 2035 And will set targets for scope 3 by 2025.
They have an Estates Plan that covers all three of their locations in Covent Garden, Thurrock and Aberdare. This plan aims to reduce their energy and water consumption. They also aim to reduce, reuse and recycle as much waste as possible. For example, in 2022, they stopped issuing paper tickets and cast lists and they also installed water fountains to replace plastic water bottles.
Going to the theatre is all about the drama and atmosphere. It requires a lot of material to make memorable stage sets and create wonderful costumes. These all enhance the experience for the audience.
Making theatre productions more sustainable
The Royal Opera House is aware that its productions have an environmental impact. They’re exploring efficient use of materials and ethical and sustainable alternatives. They are working to ‘reuse, repair and repurpose sets, props and costumes’.
Earlier this year the Royal Opera House donated materials from their costume and prop departments to Blue Patch. The materials, wood, fabric and even ballet shoes were circulated to Blue Patch members who could make use of them.
Many of those involved in the project are experts at transforming one person’s waste into another person’s gold. After all “one man’s rubbish may be another’s treasure” (Hector Urquhart, Popular Tales of the West Highlands). The results are rather wonderful.
Repurposing costume and prop department offcuts
Chloe Haywood is a master at the art of recycling materials. She makes recycled cashmere hot water bottle covers, appliques jumpers and jackets and is a trained milliner. Chloe used some of the organza offcuts from the Royal Opera House to fashion a baroque-look bolero for a photo shoot for singer/songwriter Michaela Betts.
Kapdaa Offcuts creates fashion accessories and stationery from waste fabric. They have worked with many brands on collaborations like Zoffany, Clarke & Clarke and Selfridges. Kapdaa Offcuts has used retired costumes and other left-over fabric from Royal Opera House productions to create notebooks, glasses cases and tote bags. These are available for sale in the Royal Opera House shop, allowing their customers to take home a little piece of a production.
Liz at Love Heartwood took wood offcuts from the Props Department and created the iconic Nutcracker character from the ballet. She worked in collaboration with Colwin Way, Axminster Tools and The Tiny Turner on the finished product.
Rachel at Rocworx Designs works with leather, paper, glass and fabric, marbling them using a traditional method. Rachel unpicked the leather and ribbons from the ballet shoes. She marbled the leather offcuts and made them into keyrings. The ribbons have been cleaned and dried and are in storage for a future project.
Blue Patch works continuously with national institutions to arrange exchanges and collaborations. The donations from the Royal Opera House were wonderful to receive and pass on. We are working on several projects for 2024, details of which will be announced soon. Find out more and become a member today.
