At the court of Sparta, Helena, known as the most beautiful woman in the world, is thoroughly bored at the side of her husband, King Menelaus, when suddenly a mysterious – and damnably attractive – shepherd appears and injects plenty of life back into this dull society. What other choice does Helen, a loyal servant of Venus, ultimately have than to lustfully submit to her fate?

In this fast-paced, brilliant antique travesty by Jacques Offenbach, so-called good sense is thoroughly torn from its rotten hinges. Under Barry Kosky's direction, the melodies, legs and dialogue veritably whirl before the audience's eyes, brain and ears, and of course around the undisputed centre of these goings-on: the beautiful Helen.