Revenge and violence – it’s just another day at the office for a fight director at Opera Worcester.

For its latest opera production, the two one act operas of Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci, the company had to call in specialist help.

Opera Worcester chairman Caroline Causier said: “I Pagliacci calls for the staging of fight scenes and the society was lucky enough to be able to call upon the help of professional fight director, Anthony Ravenhall .

“Born in Worcester and educated at RGS Worcester, Anthony was one of the original founders of the Worcester Arts Workshop where he first found his passion for all things ‘theatre’. Since graduating from the Welsh College of Music and Drama Anthony has worked as an actor and director across a wide range of theatre companies and genres.”

He was Artistic Director of the York Theatre Royal’s Young People’s Theatre, touring professional theatre to young audiences throughout the north-east, nationally and internationally as well as In-house performance on the Theatre Royal’s main stage.

He also became director of the internationally renowned York Wagon Mystery Plays and has worked as Fight Director for many diverse productions.

Causier added: “We are extremely lucky to have someone of Anthony’s calibre volunteer his services to work with our principals. We are also very grateful to him for agreeing to act as production manager for this year’s production of Cav and Pag.”

Anthony Ravenhall said: “Fights on stage are notoriously difficult to choreograph so that they look convincing and of course the safety of everyone involved is of tantamount importance.

“It’s the first opera I’ve worked on as a fight director and it’s been great fun. The principals have been very receptive to my suggestions. “

There will be a performance this evening, May 3, from 7.30pm at The Swan Theatre, and another on Saturday, May 4, at 2.30pm. Tickets and further details on 01905 611427.