Belle Vue rescue racing dogs join Rigoletto at Manchester’s Opera House

Two elegant greyhounds will be joining the opera Rigoletto on Sunday 11 March at the Opera House in Manchester.

Briersey and Dash are both former Belle Vue racing dogs and are now enjoying happy retirements, thanks to the Mersey and Cheshire Manchester Branch of the Greyhound Trust.

Award-winning opera director and producer Ellen Kent has long been a campaigner for animal welfare, and after hearing how greyhounds can be so cruelly and cold-heartedly abandoned once their running days are over, she felt compelled to try and help raise awareness of their plight.

Ellen said:

To be able to promote animal welfare and preservation of endangered species through the drama and spectacle of my operas is a great joy and privilege for me.”

Greyhounds Briersey and Dash make their stage debuts in Rigoletto

Formed in May 2008, the branch finds homes every year for over 100 retired racing greyhounds. Run by a small group of dedicated volunteers, who give up their time freely for the love of the greyhounds, they celebrate their 10^thanniversary this year.

Handler Keith Johnson will be going on stage with three year old Briersey and five old year old Dash. Briersey and Dash have been happy in their homes for a few years and are looking forward to their debut in Rigoletto.

Joanne Johnson, of the Manchester branch, said: “The Greyhound Trust Mersey and Cheshire is honoured to support the production of Rigoletto at Manchester Opera House. It enables us to raise the profile of the plight of the greyhound. ”

Rigoletto

Graeme Marsh, marketing, communications and events manager, said: “Since 1975, we have provided a safe place for greyhounds after their racing career, helping them make the transition from track to home. Trainers and owners bring their greyhounds to one of our 50 or so branches, where they are cared for as individuals during their transition to family companions.

“Every year the Trust finds homes for close to 4000 greyhounds, but there are still many more we would like to help. With over 1000 volunteers across the UK, the Greyhound Trust is heavily reliant on the kindness and generosity of its supporters to enable us to continue working towards a day when all racing greyhounds retire to loving homes and are treated with compassion and kindness.”

Each performance of Rigoletto will be an opportunity for local greyhound charities to display their literature and raise money in aid of this worthy cause.

For more details and tickets visit: atgtickets.com/Manchester

The Greyhound Trust has kennels in Warrington withe greyhounds looking for new homes,  an online shop, or you can just donate. Click here for more details: greyhoundtrust.org.uk