Hear Its Roar

A comic opera for primary schools aims to teach a new generation about global issues and the threats faced by the world’s lions and donkeys. Owen Jones takes a closer look

- Owen Jones

Primary school pupils across the UK are being given the chance to take part in the first ever performances of a new comic opera this summer. One of Our Lions is Missing! describes the adventures of a lion and a donkey living in a monastery and has been written by leading young British composer James Olsen.

It’s part of a project called #lionopera, which involves animal charities The Donkey Sanctuary, LionAid and the Born Free Foundation. As well as telling a comic tale, the opera delivers a wider message, raising awareness about global issues and threats faced by donkeys and lions.