Staffordshire’s New Vic Theatre will transform their space into a magical summer wonderland to stage a brand new adaptation of Coppelia – A Mystery from 16 July - 7 August.

This inventive promenade performance begins outside in the grounds of the theatre before taking audiences on an intimate journey around and inside the theatre and back again.

Directed by New Vic Artistic Director Theresa Heskins, the cast features Corinna Brown (Netflix’s Heartstopper) as Swanhilde, Michael Hugo (Around The World In 80 Days) as Doctor Coppelius, Urdang Academy graduate Kira McPherson as Coppelia, and beatboxing violinist Faz Shah as Amadeus.

The piece is designed by Lis Evans, with choreography by Beverley Norris-Edmunds, lighting by Daniella Beattie, sound by James Earls-Davis and Alex Day and composition by James Atherton.

Heskins said: “We made Coppelia – A Mystery with love and determination last Christmas. When we realised we wouldn’t be able to invite audiences then, we planned how we’d reimagine it for a summer’s day. The show plunges its audience right into the story, inviting them to walk through this magical world along the street of shops we’ve built outside the theatre, and then to sneak into the workshop at the back of Dr Coppelius’s shop to discover the toymaker’s secret.

“Nothing brings us more joy than seeing all generations of a family delighting in a show together, so creating theatre for family audiences is an important part of our theatre-making. This year it feels more important than ever to give families unique experiences to treasure: for us to inspire imaginations, offer adventures, and to rediscover the power of theatre to bring people together.” 

Inspired by the classic tale, Coppelia – A Mystery is a spellbinding adventure suitable for all ages. Families will take a journey with the characters outside and into the theatre, through a woodland glade and down an inviting street of shops, leading to the toyshop of the mysterious Doctor Coppelius – a toyshop with a curious secret that one girl is determined to discover. A production which truly celebrates the home-produced work of the New Vic, audiences will enter into an enchanting world filled with love, mischief and mystery to uncover the toyshop’s secrets for themselves, perhaps spotting a few surprises on the way 

For more information and to book tickets, please click here.