Waxwings at Norwich Theatre Royal

The story is about a boy called Olly and his sister Cilla. Olly is autistic and is obsessed with birds. They find a waxwing on their way to their new school and take it with them. Olly’s new teacher immediately takes against him, and the boy struggles with the simplest questions. The teacher hears the little bird in Olly’s pocket and calls for the Headteacher, who turns out to be part human, part Minotaur, with an appetite for small birds. They run with the waxwing to the top of the building to escape, and make wings for Olly made of wax and feathers.

Created by Clive and Mark Ives, with words and direction by Tim Yealland, and design by Ruth Paton. For the first time this year the opera includes a rich, immersive electronic soundtrack alongside the live singing and playing.