The famous 'leap of death' in the closing moments of Puccini's opera Tosca will bring a sensational finale to a new production being staged at the New Theatre next month.

Stuntman Rod Woodruff, who has made a career out of living dangerously, leaped 20ft from one of the supporting pylons of the Oxford Ice Rink on January 14 to publicise the Ellen Kent & Opera International production on February 1-2.

Mr Woodruff's previous stuntwork has appeared in such films as Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade, The Krays and Bhaji on the Beach, as well as being a fight director for English National Opera.

The company is also bringing Sleeping Beauty and Grigorovich's Nutcracker to the New Theatre from February 10-14.