Review: The Princess and the Pea at New Vic*

[Ad-gifted] Attending the opening of the circus and theatre adaptation of The Princess and the Pea at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme with my 2-year-old son for his very first theatre experience was an enchanting adventure.

The Princess and the Pea directed by Vicki Dela Amedume MBE and adapted by Theresa Heskins was an enchanting performance, notable for its history and being the first purpose-built theatre in the round in Europe.

What did we think of the show?

As we settled into our seats, the buzz of excitement from the young audience set the stage for a delightful journey of comedy, story telling and theatre.

Watching my son’s eyes light up as the actors bounced and jumped around the stage bringing the much loved fairytale to life , marked a memorable milestone in his early childhood.

New Vic Theatre together with Unicorn Theatre and Upswing have created this performance especially for children up to 13 years old, with a firm belief that young people of all ages have the right to experience inspiring theatre work. Unicorn Theatre an award-winning circus company known for telling stories in new and extraordinary ways, incorporated physical theatre and incredible circus skills, which resulted in a truly magical production.  Diverse and female-led company, Upswing continues to break new ground in the realm of community, physical and circus theatre.

The cast brought the story to life with vibrant energy and exceptional skill. Danielle Bird as the Yellow Servant, Nathan Johnston as the Green Servant, and Robert Penny as the Blue Servant expertly used physical theatre to engage and delight the audience. Rhiannon Skerritt, portraying the Purple Princess, dazzled with her amazing circus and physical skills, weaving the tale with grace and strength.

This production of The Princess and the Pea was a captivating blend of storytelling, physical theatre, and circus artistry, making it a standout experience for both children and adults. The dedication of the Unicorn Theatre and Upswing to innovative and inclusive theatre was evident throughout the performance, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.

It is a perfect introduction to taking young children to a show my son and I enjoyed the performance thoroughly and would highly recommend to anyone who may be apprehensive about taking under 5’s to the theatre.

Cast

Danielle Bird Blue Servant
Nathan Johnston Yellow Servant
Robert Penny Red Servant
Rhiannon Skerritt Purple Princess

Creative Team

Writer and Director Theresa Heskins
Director Vicki Dela Amedume MBE
Designer Laura McEwan
Production Manager Helen Mugridge
Assistant Choreographer Nathan Johnston
Composer Tayo Akinbode
Sound Designer Alex Day
Lighting Designer Joshie Harriette
EY Consultant Charlene Low

Here’s how you can win yourself a family ticket worth £58 to watch The Princess and the Pea on on any of the weekday shows at either 11am or 2pm.

How much do the tickets cost?

Tickets are priced at £15 for adults and Under 16s at £13,. School tickets are priced at £11.50.

How do I book tickets to watch The Princess and the Pea?

Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office (E-tickets will be emailed), by calling 01782 717962 or visit the New Vic Theatre’s website here.

How long is the show for and what are the timings?

Show timings as follows:

Thu 20 – 11.00am & 2.00pm
Fri 21 – 11.00am
Sat 22 – 11.00am & 2.00pm
Tue 25 – 11.00am
Wed 26 – 11.00am & 2.00pm
Thu 27 – 11.00am & 2.00pm
Fri 28 – 11.00am
Sat 29 – 11.00am & 2.00pm

(No shows on 23 or 24 June)

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

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

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)
• Limited parking for customers, a small parking fee of £2.20
• 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)

Keeping you safe

They want you to have the best experience possible when you visit the New Vic. To help you enjoy your visit, they’ve put some measures in place to help all visitors feel as comfortable as possible.

• Please feel free to wear a face covering whilst at the New Vic, when walking around the venue and during the performance. 

• They ask all guests to be mindful of fellow audience members when at the theatre, who may prefer to continue to keep a distance from other theatregoers whilst in their spaces.

• They have hand sanitiser stations positioned around the theatre, free to use by all. They are maintaining their high levels of cleanliness throughout the building, ensuring all spaces and contact surfaces are regularly sanitised.

Feeling unwell? If you, or a member of your party, are exhibiting symptoms of Covid19 prior to your visit, they politely ask that you do not attend the theatre. If this is the case, please speak to a member of their Box Office team who will be able to talk you through options to exchange your tickets.

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: Becky Wilkinson

You may want to read this:

Review: Alice in Wonderland at the New Vic Theatre

Review: Beauty and the Beast at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme

Review: Coppelia – A Mystery at New Vic Theatre

Photo credit: New Vic Theatre / Foteini Christofilopoulou

* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.