Royce Vavrek is a Brooklyn-based Canadian-born librettist and writer known for collaborations with leading composers.
A new opera, created by Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek, is presented with a bold fusion of theatre and pain, drawing on Kafka’s story to stage an opioid crisis. The production mixes Trainspotting, Sweeney Todd and Rocky Horror, with a chorus of singing sheep. The Guardian and The Scotsman preview the Edinburgh International Festival 2026 program, highlighting ambitious artistry and industry debates about audience and funding.