Of the standard works, La bohème stands out as having been successful in runs for extended periods and has transferred to a West End location.
La bohème opened on 8 December 2009 and ran for five months, making it the longest-running continuously performed production of that opera.
[6] The production was noted for its relocation of the audience to the pub area of The Cock Tavern for the second act, described by George Hall in The Guardian as "a masterstroke to transfer the Café Momus scene downstairs – to the bar – where it becomes impossible to be sure who is a member of the chorus and who is an innocent bystander having a drink.
[10] La bohème was revived in 2012 for a 3-month run at the Charing Cross Theatre, at the Ravenna Festival in Italy in 2014 and continues to tour.
Partnering with Theatre in Education company, Big Wheel, and funded by Arts Council England, they created a series of workshops that tour with their children's opera, Ulla's Odyssey.
Previous judges have included Mark Ravenhill, Opera Holland Park producer James Clutton, Glyn Maxwell, Robert Saxton, Imogen Tilden, Luke Styles, Anna Pickard and Clare Presland.