The Popera House rolls into town

Opera, puppets and cannonballs collide this summer as South West theatre company The Bluebirds hits the road with a wildly creative take on Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

Tackling the arts funding squeeze head-on, the company has reimagined the entire opera with just five professional singers and a full supporting cast of handmade puppets - crafted in-house and brought to life in a pop-up theatre built from scratch, affectionately known as 'The Popera House.'

Touring venues from Glastonbury Abbey to Powderham Castle, the show promises circus-themed antics, powerful arias, and a plot that veers from revenge and romance to flying cannonball acts.

“In the Circus of Light and the Circus of Night, a magical family feud is unravelling,” say the team. “Sarastro kidnaps his daughter Pamina, the Queen of the Night swears vengeance, and poor Papageno just wants to find love and get fired from a cannon.”

Artistic Director Sasha Herriman said: “We love opera and we’re committed to taking it into the heart of communities. Our puppets work hard for no money - but always come out smiling!”

Puppet maker Ed Jobling added: “As they took shape, I suddenly realised they looked like me. Well, that’s one way to get cast.”

In a special twist, Somerset Opera will join the production for two performances in July, adding extra voices and even more mischief to the mayhem.

Expect live music, bold storytelling, and a life-sized dragon or two. Past audiences have called it “amazing fun” and “epic singing, great puppets, silly story... and wonderful dragons.”

Catch the puppets in action at Powderham Castle on 29 June at 7pm.

For more dates, tickets and booking info, visit: www.thebluebirds.org.uk