A TALENTED opera singer has landed a starring role in a production that is set to be beamed live into cinemas nationwide.

Alexander Baker, originally from Great Oakley, will be singing the part of Samuel in the English National Opera’s new production of Pirates of Penzance, which opened on Saturday.

The much-loved opera will be streamed into cinemas using state-of-the-art technology from the London Coliseum in high definition, including Harwich’s Electric Palace on Tuesday.

Acclaimed director Mike Leigh, whose most notable works include films Naked and Secrets and Lies, is in charge of the latest production, and Mr Baker is hoping it will prove a huge success.

He said: “I am really excited about the part and working with Mike Leigh has been great fun.

“When I originally did an audition for Mike about a year ago, he said it was acceptable and wasn’t too bad, so it went from there.

“For it to be streamed at a cinema I went to as a child is fantastic.

“I am very excited that a wider audience will have a chance to see opera.”

He added: “We have some wonderful opera houses in this country, but not in the local area, aside from when the fantastic Harwich Festival comes around.

“The best place to see opera without actually being there is at the cinema.”