Based on the 1946 film directed and produced by Frank Capra, Jake Heggie’s 2016 opera It’s a Wonderful Life opens the ENO’s Christmas period this year. It follows the story of humble banker George Bailey in the idyllic town of Bedford Falls at Christmastime. After years of helping others at the expense of his own dreams, George feels like life has passed him by and is ready to leave it all behind.

When things look their bleakest, Clara — a second-tier angel desperate to earn her wings — intervenes and sets out to show George that the lives of those in Bedford Falls would be a lot less wonderful without him.