OPERA-goers in Oxford can end a night of grandeur by supporting a ‘gentle and loving’ group of dogs.

Audiences will pack the New Theatre next Thursday for the opera Rigoletto, billed as a lavish spectacle with subtitled Italian singing and scenes of nudity.

But greyhounds Wilma and Harry could be set to steal the show, starring on stage alongside owner Cristina Smith, who will play a duke’s dog handler.

She said: “They will represent The Greyhound Trust and raise awareness for the charity, as well as showing what wonderful dogs greyhounds are and how gentle and loving they are.

“Harry took part in the production a couple of years ago when it was last in Oxford so he knows what he is doing.”

The opera is touring the country and its producer Ellen Kent is a keen animal welfare campaigner.

There will also be a collection after the show for The Greyhound Trust, which works to rehabilitate and rehome greyhounds.