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Dead Man Walking at English National Opera: a superb execution

Michael Mayes (Joseph De Rocher) and Christine Rice (Sister Helen Prejean)
© Manuel Harlan
Jacques Imbrailo, Gweneth-Ann Rand, Hubert Francis and Catherine Carby (Victims' parents)
© Manuel Harlan
Malachy Frame (guard), Michael Mayes (Joseph De Rocher) and Christine Rice (Sister Helen Prejean)
© Manuel Harlan
Dame Sarah Connolly (Mrs Patrick De Rocher)
© Manuel Harlan
Dead Man Walking
© Manuel Harlan
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“I defy anyone to see this opera and come out unmoved”
Reviewed at The London Coliseum, London on 1 November 2025
Heggie, Dead Man Walking
Kerem Hasan, Conductor
Annilese Miskimmon, Director
Alex Eales, Set Designer
Evie Gurney, Costume Designer
DM Wood, Lighting Designer
English National Opera Orchestra
English National Opera Chorus
Christine Rice, Sister Helen Prejean
Michael Mayes, Joseph De Rocher
Dame Sarah Connolly, Mrs. Patrick De Rocher
Madeline Boreham, Sister Rose
Andrew Manea, George Benton
Ronald Samm, Father Grenville
Gweneth-Ann Rand, Kitty Hart
Jacques Imbrailo, Owen Hart
Catherine Carby, Jade Boucher
Hubert Francis, Howard Boucher
Zwakele Tshabalala, First Motorcycle Cop, Older Brother
Marcus Swietlicki, Younger Brother
Amy Holyland, Sister Lillianne
Alaric Green, First Prison Guard
Malachy Frame, Second Prison Guard
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