[Ad-gifted] Big band tunes transport us back to wartime 1945 as A Matter of Life and Death arrives at the New Vic Theatre. Danielle Booker reviews.
The New Vic’s Artistic Director Theresa Heskins has produced a rare stage adaptation of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s iconic cinematic masterpiece, A Matter of Life and Death. With an amazing live swing-band, A Matter of Life and Death seamlessly blends together romance, drama and fantasy, and will take audiences on an emotional journey, exploring what happens when love, fate and the laws of the universe collide.
The story is set in 1945 when British Pilot Peter Carter’s plane goes down just off the coast of England, he doesn’t expect to survive. Miraculously, after leaping from his burning plane without a parachute, he finds himself face-to-face with June, the American radio operator who kept him company on his final journey. As the pair fall instantly and deeply in love, Peter discovers a celestial error has occurred – he was supposed to die but the heavenly conductor missed him as he fell through the fog.
Caught in a limbo between life and death, Peter is called by the heavenly court to answer for his survival and defend his right to live. Can he convince the judge he deserves a second chance at life and prove that love truly can conquer all?
What I thought of the show?
From the very start it’s clear that the music itself is one of the stars of the show. A 10-piece swing band complete with trumpet, saxophones, and double bass – all performed by an incredibly talented cast – plays 1940s big band tunes like Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and Dream a Little Dream.
The date is May 2, 1945, British pilot Peter Carter (played by Thomas Dennis) makes a final transmission on his radio as his plane is about to go down just off the coast of England. It is his 67th flight – at a time when the average was 11 – so Peter is already living on borrowed time! His plane is on fire, and his parachute in shreds. Before he jumps, he asks American radio operator June to send a final message to his mother and sisters.
Miraculously, after leaping from his burning plane without a parachute, he finds himself still alive and face-to-face with June (played by Kaylah Copeland) the radio operator who kept him company on his final journey.
The pair fall instantly and deeply in love, but Peter soon discovers a celestial error has occurred – he was supposed to die but the heavenly conductor missed him as he fell through the thick English fog.
The love story between Peter and June is beautifully performed by Dennis and Copeland, who manage to perfectly capture the heightened emotions of wartime – the uncertainty of their lives and the need to grab with both hands all of the precious moments.
The play also stars one of my all-time-favourite New Vic actors, Michael Hugo, as Conductor 71, a French aristocrat who is dispatched to Earth to retrieve Peter. However, the love struck pilot will not leave his new love without a fight.
The authorities in the next world will not let him go, just because he has fallen in love. Caught in a limbo between life and death, Peter is called by the heavenly court to answer for his survival and defend his right to live.
Hugo’s impeccable comic timing mean that his interactions with Peter produce a lot of the play’s laughs. Though Doc (played by the excellent Polly Lister) also produces her fair share of the humour and entertainment. Lister is another regular New Vic actor, and her marvellous stage presence is just what’s required for the larger-than-life character of Doc. Watching her ride a motorbike around the theatre was a first for me!
The New Vic team are always incredibly imaginative in their staging and A Matter of Life & Death is no exception! I don’t want to ruin the dramatic effect of the staging, so just to say I was blown away by the stairway to heaven.
Theresa Heskins’ adaptation of A Matter of Life & Death is a wonderful romantic comedy that will have you toe tapping and cheering on this against the odds romance.
Cast
Alexander Bean Judge / Airman / Musician
Morgan Burgess Abraham Farlan / Musician
Kaylah Copeland June
Thomas Dennis Peter
Howard Gray Performer / Show Musical Director
Jack Heydon Dog Walker / Musician
Michael Hugo Conductor 71
Jessica Jolleys Chief Recorder / Musician
Polly Lister Doc
Sufia Manya Dr. Liza / Musician
Jenny Murphy Section Officer / Musician
Elliot Parchment–Morrison Bob Trubshawe / Musician
Luke Thornton Voice (Prof. Brian Cox) / Airman / Musician
Lucy Wells Ents. Officer / Musician
Creatives
Theresa Heskins Director
Laura McEwen Designer
Akintayo (Tayo) Akinbode Musical Director / Composer
Alexandra Stafford Lighting Designer
Alex Day Sound Designer
Beverley Norris-Edmunds Choreographer
Illuminos Projection Designers
Caroline Hetherington Vocal Coach
Anji Carroll CDG Casting Associate
Polly Wain Staff Director
How much are the tickets for A Matter of Life and Death at The New Vic Theatre?
Tickets are on sale now, priced from £15 to £33.
Concessions: £2.00 off
Group Discounts: £2.00 off for ten or more
Under 16s Go Free
Under 26s Go Free
How do I book tickets to watch A Matter of Life and Death?
Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office, by calling 01782 717962 or visit the New Vic Theatre’s website here.
How long is the show for and what are the timings?
A Matter of Life and Death will run until Saturday, 19 April 2025 with evening shows at 7.30pm and Matinee at 2.15pm (on 05/04, 10/04, 12/04, 17/04 and 19/04).
Captioned: 7.30pm Tue 15 April
Audio described: 2.15pm Sat 19 April
Where is The New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme?
New Vic Theatre
Etruria Road
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 0JG
The theatre has a large car park, with a £2.20 charge on show days. Only contactless card payment is currently accepted for parking charges.
The theatre café is open 10am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday – then from 5.30pm for pre-show meals.
Booking is required for pre-show meals 5.30pm onwards, via their booking system at this link.
About The New Vic Theatre
Founded in 1962, the New Vic is the producing theatre for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. With around eight major productions a year, its varied programme includes contemporary drama, new commissions, adaptations and classics. Recent productions have toured nationally and internationally, and have transferred to London and Manchester. The New Vic has developed extensive and award-winning community involvement. It works regionally, nationally and internationally through its education department and New Vic Borderlines, which aims to change the lives of the most disadvantaged members of the community. The New Vic is funded by Arts Council England, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council.
Review by: Dani Booker
You may also want to read this:
Review: The Last Quiz Night On Earth at New Vic Theatre
Review: Arnold Bennett’s The Card at New Vic Theatre
Review: A Play for the Living in a Time of Extinction at New Vic Theatre
Photo Credit: New Vic Theatre/Andrew Billington
* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.
21 comments
This sounds like such a moving story that will have you hooked from the start. This is definitely a love story I would love to see and hope they get their happy ever after
This is so so cool. I can’t wait to watch it, the story seems amazing….I hope they come to my city, that would be awesome.
I am not too sure if they are touring Karen, I hope they do
This sounds like an exceptional show. It sounds like they did an amazing job translating it to the stage!
Yes the actors did an exceptional job and I love the costume which was well designed to showcase the period
A Matter of Life and Death is one of my all-time favorite movies – both for the setting and the unique take on a story of its kind. It sounds like New Vic really did it justice.
Yes it did indeed Ben, I would say this is worth the watch
Sounds like this show is romantic. We love watching romantic shows in my family. Love this!
Thank you Marie, so many different emotions in the production
I can only imagine how the staging and music will enhance the emotional weight of this timeless tale. Looking forward to seeing how this production reinterprets a classic masterpiece for a modern audience!
Thank you Sue, New Vic does not fail to entertain, their production is always so good and worth watching
I love watching theatre, it is always so much more raw and real.. and the way you have described the play it feels like such an intersting watch. Would love to witness something like this.
Absolutely, as you can see the actors performing live and the emotions are so real
This sounds like a powerful and thought-provoking play! I love theatre productions that challenge perspectives and evoke deep emotions.
Yes it was indeed Jais, I enjoyed watching the production and would see it again
I love swing music, especially in a show so this sounds really good. And awesome that this is made quite prominent in the show. Sounds like another good one x
A fabulous production indeed Rhian, and one worth watching
This seems like such a great production that I would love to see in person. It reminds me of the show “Masters of the Air” and I loved that, I will try to see this if I can!
Hope you get the chance Lavanda, such a fabulous production
Actors who can also play instraments always brings a lot of joy to me. Sounds like a fantastic performance to see.
Agree, some of them are so talented, such joy watching them perform