Waves crashing against a rocky shoreline, with white foam contrasting against deep blue water under a clear sky.

Breaking The Waves
Tickets From £24.25

Venue

London Coliseum

In sickness and in health…

This hauntingly beautiful opera explores faith, heartbreak and loss with unflinching emotional intensity. Emerging as one of the most powerful contemporary operas of our time and adapted from Lars von Trier’s critically acclaimed film, Missy Mazzoli’s Breaking The Waves comes to ENO in a striking new production for 2026/27.

Book your tickets to experience the drama and emotion of Breaking The Waves in a new opera production, live at the London Coliseum in 2027.

On a remote Scottish island, within a strict religious community, Bess meets oil rig worker Jan, and they fall in love. They are happily married, until a terrible accident leaves Jan paralysed and no longer able to have a sexual relationship with his wife. 

He asks Bess to have sex with other men and describe her experiences to him; convincing her that this will help him to heal. Bess, a deeply devout woman, believing it’s God’s will, reluctantly embarks upon a series of increasingly dangerous encounters with strangers. 

Will her sacrifice save the man she loves? Or will she be left the tragic victim of a system indifferent to her suffering? Find out what depths humanity is willing to go to in this ultimate test of faith. 

Closing

25/02/2027

Running Time

2h35, inc. interval

Genre

Opera

Age & Content

18+ | Children under 5 are not allowed in the auditorium.

Please Note:

This opera contains depictions of sex and violence including domestic & sexual violence, violence in a religious context, mutilation and attempted suicide.

Book Breaking The Waves Tickets

No accessibility performances are currently scheduled for this show.

Frequently asked questions

Breaking The Waves is playing at London Coliseum in London. Your ticket selection will show available performance dates and times, and you can book securely online via Official London Theatre. For the smoothest experience, pick a performance from the calendar and book early for popular dates.
This hauntingly beautiful opera explores faith, heartbreak and loss with unflinching emotional intensity.
The running time for Breaking The Waves is 2h35, inc. interval. Duration can occasionally vary slightly by performance, but this is the listed length for the production.
Breaking The Waves is recommended for ages 18+ | Children under 5 are not allowed in the auditorium.. If you’re bringing younger theatregoers, it’s worth considering themes and attention span alongside the age guidance. Some venues also have their own admission policies, so it can help to double-check requirements before you travel.
Breaking The Waves opens on 13th February 2027 and is currently scheduled to run until 25th February 2027. If you’re planning a trip or booking for a specific week, check the performance calendar for dates and availability, as popular performances can sell faster closer to the run.
Tickets for Breaking The Waves go on sale from 7th May 2026. If you’re looking for the widest choice of seats and dates, booking early is usually best - especially for weekends and peak travel periods. Once on sale, you can select a performance and complete your booking online.
You can buy tickets for Breaking The Waves online through Official London Theatre. Choose your preferred performance in the calendar, select seats if available, and complete your purchase securely.
There isn’t a strict dress code for London theatre, so wear whatever you’ll feel comfortable and confident in. Most people go for smart casual - think jeans or trousers with a nice top, a casual dress, or a shirt and trainers. If you’re heading to an evening show, on a date, or celebrating something, you might fancy dressing up a bit more, but it’s completely optional.
Arriving at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time helps keep things smooth and stress-free, giving you plenty of time to collect tickets, go through security, and get settled in your seat before the performance begins.
Book Tickets from £24.25