In 2009, artists from Welsh National Opera travelled to Aberdare in the Valleys to deliver a challenging and inspirational song-writing project with people who have experienced homelessness and substance abuse. Award winning documentary maker Davina Payne made a film about the project, which receives its first public screening at the inaugural Norwich Film Festival next week. Opera Express will be screened on Thursday 24 September at The Cube @ The Form. (www.norwichfilmfestival.co.uk)

Davina’s film focuses on three of the participants, who talk openly about their lives and the changes they are trying to make with the support of Valley of Hope, a church-run project in Aberdare, who collaborated with WNO on Opera Express. The project culminated with performances on the Valleys train network just before Christmas, performances-with-a-difference that are also captured in Davina’s inspirational film. This is one of three documentaries specially commissioned by WNO Digital to illustrate the Company’s work beyond the main stage.

Click here to watch the film