New Vic Theatre stages brand new adaptation of A Matter of Life and Death

Staffordshire’s The New Vic Theatre will produce a rare stage adaptation of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s cinematic masterpiece A Matter of Life and Death on their in-the-round stage.  

It’s been adapted by Artistic Director Theresa Heskins, who also directs, the production will open on Friday 28th March and run until Saturday 19th April.  

It’s 1945 and British Pilot Peter Carter’s plane goes down just off the coast of England he doesn’t expect to survive, but miraculously, after leaping from his burning plane without a parachute, he finds himself face-to-face with June, the American radio operator who kept him company on his final journey.

As the pair fall instantly and deeply in love, Peter discovers a celestial error has occurred – he was supposed to die but the heavenly conductor missed him as he fell through the fog. Can he convince a heavenly judge he deserves a second chance at life and prove that love truly can conquer all?

A 10-piece swing band will form part of the 16-strong cast to evoke the mood of the era, with musical direction and composition by Akintayo Akinbode. An innovative set designed by Laura McEwen will attempt to deliver the movie’s iconic ‘stairway to heaven’ scene.  

Thomas Dennis will play the airman stick in heavenly limbo, Kayla Copeland is June and Alexander Bean will play the Judge.  

“It is a privilege to be creating only the second ever stage version of this much-loved film,” says Theresa Heskins. “It’s impossible to stage really – a play set on a vibrant earth, in a vast eternity and in an otherworldly in-between. Our cast and creative team are relishing the challenge of finding innovative ways to make some of Powell and Pressburger’s iconic scenes happen live on stage.

“The story has a powerful narrative: the protagonist is questioning his right to live and love. The original film premiered in 1946, yet the story feels especially relevant to today.”

A Matter of Life and Death is at the New Vic from Friday 28th March until Saturday 19th April, find out more at www.newvictheatre.org.uk