Based on the novel by Peter Stephan Jungk, The Perfect American tells a 'nightmarish' version of the final years of Walt Disney's life. Rather than being a sugar-coated tale of this much-loved cartoonist, the book controversially presents Disney as a racist, a misogynist and an antisemite. This ENO production incorporates his most famous cartoon characters in the style which made director Phelim McDermott's previous production, Satyagraha, such a success.

Be warned though, this opera is probably not suitable for younger audiences due to its dark vision of Disney's life and work.

The opera was composed by Philip Glass and directed by Phelim McDermott, with British baritone Christopher Purves performing the role of Walt Disney.