The Moomins to Make UK Stage Debut at the egg theatre, Bath, from Today

This Christmas, the egg theatre and Horse + Bamboo Theatre bring the Moomins to life on stage for the first time ever in the UK, in a brand new adaptation of Tove Jansson's Moominland Midwinter at the Theatre Royal Bath, today, 6th December - 12th January 2014.

This premiere coincides with the start of Tove Jansson's centenary year, portraying Moomin stories that are loved all over the world, crossing barriers of language, age and culture. The books have been translated into forty-three different languages, animated and adapted for film and television. The enormous worldwide popularity of The Moomins has been attributed to Jansson's ability to masterfully combine both children's and adults' world views.

Everyone knows that Moomins hibernate during the winter months. Throughout time, like their ancestors before them, they have slept from November to spring. But in Moominland Winter, Moomintroll wakes up early. While the rest of his family slumber, he decides to visit his favourite summer haunts only to find that winter has changed everything. Determined to discover the truth about this most mysterious of seasons, Moomintroll is forced to make some very grown-up decisions when he ventures where no Moomin has gone before.

Heart-warming, humorous and spellbinding, this delightful Christmas fantasy is co-directed by Lee Lyford (Heidi A Goat's Tale (2012); Bluebeard, Gallivant Theatre Company); and Alison Duddle (joint Artistic Director of Horse + Bamboo Theatre). It will feature beautiful puppets created by Horse + Bamboo Theatre and a specially written soundtrack by Laurence Kaye (Horse + Bamboo theatre, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Royal and DernGate Theatre, Northampton).

The cast includes: Seamas H. Carey as Moomintroll (Heidi A Goat's Tale, the egg theatre, The Tallest Horse On Earth, Silly Boys), Morag Cross as Too-Ticky (Room on the Broom, West End, Romeo and Juliet, National Theatre), and Adam Fuller playing Squirrel and Snork Maiden, (Travels With Granddad, Pickled Image, You're Not Doing It Right, Idiot Child). Zoe Hunter appears as Little My (I Do, The Almeida, Peter Pan, National Theatre of Scotland) and The Hemulen will be played by Mark Whittaker (Master Puppeteer at Horse + Bamboo Theatre, Puppeteer and Mask Performer with companies including Little Angel and Aardman Animations).

Dramatist Hattie Naylor has won national and international awards for her plays. She wrote the Olivier Award nominated Ivan and the Dogs, seen at London's Soho Theatre, on UK tour and in New York. Her work broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 3 comprises more than forty plays, three short stories and an opera. Her previous work at the egg theatre includes the world premiere production of The French Detective and the Blue Dog, Alice through the Looking Glass and The Nutcracker. Piccard in Space, an opera she created for Radio 3 and the Southbank Centre with composer Will Gregory (Goldfrapp), was performed in 2011, conducted by Charles Hazlewood and directed by Jude Kelly. Her recent work for BBC Radio 4 includes the current serialization of The Diaries of Samuel Pepys and an adaptation of The Aeneid.

Design is by Tom Rogers, (Linbury Prize finalist for work with Wayne MacGregor on Random Dance, Sadler's Wells, The Recruiting Officer and Joking Apart (Salisbury Playhouse).

the egg theatre and Horse + Bamboo Theatre present Moominland Midwinter

Written by Tove Jansson, Translated by Thomas Warburton, Adapted by Hattie Naylor

Directed by Lee Lyford and Alison Duddle, Designed by Tom Rogers

Puppets and Animations designed by Horse + Bamboo

Press Night: 11th December, 7pm

Cast: Seamas H. Carey, Morag Cross, Adam Fuller, Zoe Hunter, Mark Whittaker

Venue: the egg theatre at the Theatre Royal Bath, Sawclose, Bath BA1 1ET

Dates: Friday 6th December 2013 - Sunday 12th January 2014

Times: Matinees and Evening Performances - various times daily

(No performances on 9, 16, 19, 25 & 26 December, 1 & 6 January)

Age range: 6 years and over

Tickets: £15 adults & £10 - Children & Students, Schools group discount available

Box Office: 01224 823 409 or 01225 448844 or www.theatreroyal.org.uk

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