Review: Coppelia – A Mystery at New Vic Theatre*

It was such a magical evening spent at New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme yesterday where we were invited to watch Coppelia – A Mystery, a brand new adaptation of the classic tale and ballet by E.T.A Hoffmann.

The enchantment started, as soon as we arrived as we walked through a woodland glade, down a street of shop frontages filled with books, jars of sweets, cakes and a pathway filled with trellises of sunflowers, sweet peas and nasturtiums as we made our way towards Doctor Coppelius’s toyshop.

The production was originally intended to take place over Christmas last year and had been delayed due to Covid restrictions and what a fantastic job the crew and staff have done in revamping the set to make it more suited for summer.

I found myself being enchanted by every detail of the wonderland including the scattered doll’s eyes which we had to spot along the way and I am sure this would seem even more magical for a child.

Coppelia tells the tale of a doll maker, Dr Coppelius (played by Michael Hugo) who has tragically lost his only daughter and has created a life-like doll in her memory (played by Kira McPherson).  When Swanhilde is unable to buy the doll, she decides to break into Dr Coppelius’s toy shop to find out more about the doll.  What will happen next?  Will her action wreck the doll? Will all end well? …

Corinna Brown who plays Swanhilde, will warm your heart with her child-like innocence and curiosity and keep you on your toes with her cheekiness and energy.  I found Kira’s precise doll-like movement was simply mesmerising and Michael on the other hand brought so much mystery and eccentricity to the play.  Finally, Farhaan Shah’s beautiful musical accompaniment was just lovely to listen to.

Directed by Theresa Heskins, expect nothing less of being entertained,  mesmerised and taken on a wild journey of surrealism.  A special mention also has to be given to Lis Evans who designed the beautiful sets and managed to adapt them from the original Christmas sets to a more summer-themed with lots of magical touches such as the garden set-up, the fairy lights and the sheet music butterflies seen on plants.

I found the whole performance was so well organised, starting from the opening which was held outside to heading into the theatre and the show finishing off outside.  We were all socially distanced and stayed in our own bubbles throughout the whole performance and were recommended to wear masks whilst indoors.  This is the perfect family performance to head to especially if you are wondering what to do with your children this summer holidays.

CAST

Corinna Brown Swanhilde

Michael Hugo Doctor Coppelius

Kira McPherson Coppelia

Farhaan Shah Amadeus

Creative Team:

Theresa Heskins Director

Lis Evans Designer

Daniella Beattie Lighting Designer

James Earls-Davis and Alex Day Sound Designers

James Atherton Composer

Beverley Norris-Edmunds Choreographer

Caroline Wilkes Assistant Director

Anji Carroll CDG Casting Associate

How much do the tickets cost?

Tickets are priced at £15 (£10 Concessions ). A transaction fee of £1.00 per ticket applies when booking online.

How do I book tickets to watch Coppelia – A Mystery?

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?

Coppelia – A Mystery will be performed in and around the New Vic until Saturday, 7 August 2021 and the whole show (including the pre-performance activity) takes around an hour and a half.  Please check the New Vic Theatre’s website for full details on timings.

Where is New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme?

New Vic Theatre
Etruria Road
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 0JG

About 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, Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Things to note: 

The New Vic welcomes all customers and is committed to providing access to the arts for all, which includes:

• Free parking close to the theatre entrance for Blue Badge holders (reserve a space with the box office)
• Automatic doors and level access into the foyer, ramped access to the auditorium on the ground floor and lift access to the first floor
• Wheelchair spaces on both the ground and first floor
• Disabled toilets
• An induction loop system (not available for amplified performances and an infrared-assisted hearing system)
• Baby-changing facilities
• Assistance dogs are welcome and water will be provided (if you wish to take your dog into the auditorium, let the box office know when booking)
• Sign language-interpreted, audio-described, captioned, relaxed and schools’ performances are available for some performances

Covid Procedures:

Do I have to wear a mask on my visit

They recommend customers to wear a mask if they are indoors with the exception of visitors who will be dining in the cafe.

What precautions are in place in the building? Are there any guidelines I need to follow?

On arrival to the theatre, please use their main entrance to access the building. You’ll see they have implemented a one-way system, and ask customers to enter through the right-hand side door, and exit through the opposite door when leaving.

There will be a sanitiser to use on entry, and other sanitiser stations available for use throughout the building during your visit.

There is signage in place to let you know where to go next if you’re heading to Box Office, please join the queuing system and one of their friendly team will call you to the counter when they are available. They’ve put new screens up on the counter to keep everyone safe.

*If you have access requirements, please feel free to use the automatic doors to enter the building, ensuring no-one is exiting at that time.

Are the toilets open?

Yes. Their toilets on the first floor are available for use.

Please sanitise your hands before entering the toilets. Then follow the WHO guidelines on washing hands for a minimum of 20 seconds afterwards, before using sanitiser once again as you exit.

Their soap dispensers and hand sanitisers are all contactless and their Staff will monitor them to ensure safe practice.

Can I use the lift?

Yes. The lift will be available for customers to use to access the first floor.

Please only use the lift with members of the same household bubble, sanitising your hands on both entry and exit.

Do I need to book a table for the Cafe?

You don’t need to book a table in advance, but if you’d prefer to, you can make an online booking. They can accommodate up to 75 people in their cafe space at any one time.

They will seat customers in household bubbles and ask you to please use the cafe in accordance with the current government guidance, available on gov.uk

Can I pay by cash?

No. In order to minimise surfaces touched by staff and customers, at the current time they will only be accepting payments by card. This applies to all purchases made at Box Office, the Cafe and their shop.

Do I need to bring my own PPE or sanitiser?

They have contactless hand sanitisers throughout the building but please bring your own facemask if you are visiting them.

If I, or someone in my group falls ill whilst on site? what do we do?

If you or a member of your household feel unwell, they ask that you do not visit the New Vic.

If you or a member of your party feel unwell whilst at the theatre, you should leave as soon as possible and inform a member of staff (from a safe distance) before leaving. If you are unable to wait outside or leave immediately (ie. rely on public transport) a member of staff will be able to direct you to a safe room to wait in isolation.

Will I have my temperature taken?

You will not be required to have your temperature taken when visiting.

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Review: The Wind In The Willows at the New Vic Theatre

Photo credit: New Vic Theatre/Jenny Harper