The Way Back Home, The Young Vic

The Way Back Home, adapted from the Oliver Jeffers book of the same name, is the English National Opera's first ever new opera for children. 
This first collaboration between The Young Vic and the English National Opera is an introduction to the art form for children. The Way Back Home is adapted from the cherished children’s book by Oliver Jeffers, an inspirational tale of a boy who makes an Icarus-like flight into the sky, before crash landing on the moon.
Here, he must learn to extend his hand in interstellar friendship to an initially terrifying Martian, similarly lost and in need of help to find The Way Back Home.
Katie Mitchell, awarded an OBE for her auteurist contributions to British theatre, and Vicki Mortimer, whose vast body of design has accompanied everything from Beckett to classical opera, are the attractive team behind this production. They previously brought us Dr Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat at the National Theatre, which The Telegraph predicted would ‘become a national institution’.
Rory Mullarkey, who in this year alone has been awarded the Pinter Commission, the George Devine Award and the James Tait Black prize, has adapted the script from the original. The score, performed by the ENO orchestra, comes to us from Joanna Lee, described by the Guardian as a ‘considerable talent’ We think she’s just the right fit to bring this story alive for ages 5-8 and any adult associates equally open to the lessons contained (and a wonderful night at the opera).