Reviews and Press

“Josephine is played by ENO Harewood Artist, South Korean soprano Henna Mun, looking like a hyperactive porcelain doll in her crinolines. Her voice sparkles, and with her accurate coloratura, she captures the nuances of a spoiled posh girl trying to navigate Josephine’s class-based dilemma... Mun recently impressed as Phyllis, the youngest of the three children in Mark-Anthony Turnage’s new family opera The Railway Children at Glyndebourne.”

- Dr. Adrian York, London Unattached

“In the principal romantic role, Henna Mun offers a delightful Josephine, singing with freshness, charm and an ease with the style the provides some of the evening’s most engaging moments.”

- Keith McDonnell - Music OMH

“Henna Mun (Josephine) and Thomas Atkins (Ralph) deliver the evening’s most musically compelling moments, their voices soaring across the Coliseum with clarity and ease.”

- Charlie Ellis, The Reviews Hub

“Henna Mun, yet another gifted ENO Harewood Artist, is terrific as Corcoran’s daughter Josephine, revealing a beautiful light soprano and a flair for comic timing.”

- Guy Rickards, Critics Circle

“South Korean soprano and ENO Harewood Artist, Henna Mun, [with crystal clear voice], absolutely sparkles as Josephine.”

- Dr Diana Carroll, Arts Hub

“The cast is strong all round, especially Jessica Cale, Matthew McKinney and Henna Mun who are entirely believable as the three children…Mun is cute as a button as Phyllis, who is convinced the whole story is really about her.”

- Clive Paget, The Guardian

“The three children give quite show stealing performances…Henna Mun is thoroughly convincing as the youngest of the trio Phyllis.”

- Sam Smith, Music OMH

“The singing was uniformly strong. Adults playing children is always a challenge, but Jessica Cale, Matthew McKinney, and Henna Mun made their roles entirely believable. McKinney’s Peter is all gawky adolescent, Mun (a crystal-clear soprano with impeccable diction) as Phyllis is a cute/annoying little sister, while Cale’s Bobbie is the sensible one, continually intervening between her squabbling siblings.”

- Jonathan Cross, Opera Magazine

“…the three children, Jessica Cale as Bobbie, Matthew McKinney as Peter and Henna Mun as Phyllis are splendidly characterised in Stephen Langridge’s skilful production and effortlessly steal the show…

- Nicholas Kenyon, The Telegraph

“Singing from all was faultless, with clear communication, strong depiction of characters and evenness of strength and projection…Henna Mun was endearingly sweet as Phyllis, the youngest of the children. All three managed to pull off playing children, not an easy feat, and capturing the dynamic of the young siblings well.”

- Nick Boston, Bach Tracker

“The titular children are played by adults, allowing for greater interest in the vocal parts. This does sometimes feel a little bit like watching Grease – where supposed high-school students are played by thirty-somethings – but the performances and text are strong enough to suspend belief. Jessica Cale serves sinewy solos as Roberta ('Bobbie'), and Henna Mun adds hilarity as Phyllis (‘Phyl’)."

- Claire Jackson, Opera Now

“Of South Korean heritage, petite soprano Henna Mun, a Jerwood Young Artist in 2024, takes on the role of Phyllis, the youngest of the three children. Decked out in period-appropriate mauve leg warmers whilst clutching a teddy bear, Mun, a winner of the 2024 John Christie Award at the Glyndebourne Festival, had a couple of moments to shine vocally and took them with alacrity. I want to hear her singing the Mozart parts her glistening voice is so suited for.”

- Dr. Adrian York, London Unattached