What DREAMS MAY COME

English Touring Opera –  Spring Season ’25

Puppetry Designer, Director & Maker

Directed by Valentina Ceschi

Set and Costume Design by Lily Arnold

Musical Direction by Erika Gundesen

Lighting Design by Peter Harrison

Production Photography by Richard Hubert Smith

A new studio piece drawing on hundreds of years of music inspired by and adapted from Shakespeare’s plays and poetry to depict the joys and sorrows of a long life, well-lived.

Mixing puppetry with music by Purcell, Gerald Finzi and more performed by a chamber ensemble, this new production explores the timeless appeal of Shakespeare’s words and characters for composers and audiences throughout history.

“The concept may raise a sceptical eyebrow, but it is utterly captivating. The setting is a hospital room where a gravely ill man lies in bed – a lifelike puppet designed by Matt Hutchinson. The four performers seamlessly take turns manipulating the puppet. The puppet’s movement and interactions with the medical staff and visitors are entirely convincing.”

“The production as a whole is a small jewel.”

     THE STAGE

 

“…the ass’s head is removed to reveal the gaunt face of a man in the last stages of illness (actually a superbly designed puppet by Matt Hutchinson). 

The puppet was astonishingly effective and affecting, partly because we couldn’t see the sticks that operated it, partly because it was a moving indication of the passivity of being a patient.”

MARKASPEN.COM

“I became emotionally invested in the highs and lows of our elderly protagonist. Clever puppetry direction allowed delicate gestures to convey meaning beyond any lyric: the old man touching his cheek to remember the touch of his wife when she accept a proposal, or the gentle tucking in and readjustment of his pillows by his nurse so he gets a good night’s sleep. I enjoyed the nuance and patience in the portrayal; his expressive character was as compelling as any human. “

“If a show packs such an emotional punch that you end up crying, it has done its job- what more can you want from your audience but a visceral response in the moment? There is a point at the end of the show involving the delicate placement of a pair of glasses in which I was reminded of my own late father- this was enough to cause my quiet weeping.  This is a story about a life-well lived, but most importantly it is a story about a life well-loved. Prepare yourself for an hour of gut-wrenching but affectionate creativity, this show is simply incredible at eliciting feelings in a way no other medium can.”

“I left the show in tears but for all the right, heartfelt reasons.”

    A YOUNGI(SH) PERSPECTIVE