Courage, friendship and growing up are the themes of this theatrical event, with singers and puppets, for all the family. David Bruce's magical opera is based on a fairytale by Philip Pullman. Lila desperately wants to be a firework-maker like her father, but he claims it is no job for a girl. She runs away to learn the trade, meeting pirates, tigers and the terrifying Fire-Fiend on the way. (Libretto by poet Glyn Maxwell.)
Starring Mary Bevan (Lila), James Laing (Hamlet), Amar Muchhala (Chulak), Wyn Pencarreg (Lalchand) and Andrew Slater (Rambashi). Geoffrey Paterson conducts CHROMA ensemble.
The director is John Fulljames; designs by Dick Bird. Sung in English. Running time two hours with one interval. Suitable for children eight and over.