The Firework Maker's Daughter this June at Minack Theatre Cornwall

Starting on Tuesday and continuing for the rest of the month the production, by David Bruce and Glyn Maxwell, is based on a fantasy novel by Philip Pullman, author of His Dark Materials.

In a faraway land lives Lila, who doesn’t want to be just a firework maker's daughter, she dreams of becoming a firework-maker herself. But to complete her apprenticeship, she must master the most difficult and dangerous secret of all – the one that her father refuses to tell her.

She sets out alone on a perilous adventure, through which she will discover so much more than the secret she hopes to learn.

The Firework-Maker with music performed by Kevos under the baton of Musical Director Patrick Bailey.

In its first collaboration with Tête à Tête, the Minack is delighted to produce this enchanting opera which will captivate both adults and children.

Executive Director of the Minack, Zoe Curnow said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Tête à Tête to create this production.

"For several years we’ve been looking for the perfect opera to stage at the Minack and this captivating story of a young girl on an epic quest through both fire and water is perfect for our setting and our audience.”

Director Bill Bankes-Jones said: “It's such a pleasure to direct a production of The Firework Maker's Daughter.

"It's a kind of homecoming in all kinds of ways for me; the first actual opera that I've been able to direct at home in Cornwall, the proper resumption of professional directing for me after the pandemic, and a joyous reunion with composer David Bruce, whose previous (and first) three operas were all written and premiered with me and Tête à Tête, the first being one of our very first commissions.

"I think what's unique about this show is the extent to which the storytelling is driven by the music.

"Though Philip Pullman is of course a huge draw, and his work devoured by many a family, in The Firework Maker's Daughter Glyn Maxwell's adaptation has inspired David Bruce to deliver this endlessly effervescent score which really drives the narrative. Children and parents alike will come away more than anything with an adrenaline rush of enchantment.”

The Firework Maker’s Daughter features Lixin Liu as Lila leading the cast, with music performed by Kevos under the baton of musical director Patrick Bailey.

The directed by Bill Bankes-Jones

The Firework Maker’s Daughter opens at the Minack Theatre on Tuesday 21 June, with performances until July 1. It will transfer to Prideaux Place, Padstow, for one performance only, on Sunday, July 3.

For all tickets visit www.minack.com