Half Moon Presents an OperaUpClose production
New music and words by award-winning composer and writer Kerry Andrew.
Available for booking for a limited period between 24 October–15 November 2026.
For more information contact Bradley Travis | 020 7709 8902 or bradley@halfmoon.org.uk
Flotsam
Based on the picture book by David Wiesner
When a curious child discovers a mysterious camera washed up on the beach, the photos inside reveal a chain of children linked across time and space and an extraordinary underwater world.
Turtles carry cities, starfish dance, octopi read by lamplight – but who took the pictures and where will the camera travel next?
Kerry Andrew’s luminous new score and text blends music, movement and storytelling to explore curiosity, connection and the boundless power of imagination — a spellbinding adventure for audiences of all ages.
Building on OperaUpClose’s reputation for creating “spell-binding, magical, inventive theatre” (A View from Behind the Arras) for children and their parents, Flotsam brings David Wiesner’s much-loved picture book to life.
Images, trailers and assets
A promotional image for Flotsam is available for the show at the Dropbox link below.
Rehearsal images will be released ahead of the production. Production photos and a trailer will be released soon after the show opens. Other promotional assets will be released in due course
Download images and PR assetsReviews of previous OperaUpClose productions for this age range
“Moving and memorable, serving as a reminder of the importance of respecting children as a worthy audience in their own right”
“This family-friendly new opera is spell-binding, magical, inventive theatre”
“Everything about it was wonderful, how the performers engaged with the audience, the beautiful music and opera singing. What an experience”
Photos from previous OperaUpClose productions
About OperaUpClose
OperaUpClose is a chamber-scale opera company and arts charity with storytelling, innovation and partnership at its heart, rooted in the Solent region and touring across the UK.
From their home at Mayflower Studios, Southampton, they are championing excellence at a chamber scale, commissioning and producing bold reinterpretations of known operas and stories with and for audiences of all ages.
Their work challenges perceptions of what opera is, who makes it, and who it’s for, evolving the artform for the next generation and bringing the joy of musical storytelling to people and places nationwide.
Website Instagram FacebookAbout our work
Our productions don’t educate, as such, advocating instead that there are not always correct answers or solutions when talking about or addressing prejudice, social injustices, equality and social inclusion.
Like any good story, Flotsam allows the audience to join up their own dots, think creatively and ask questions so they can discover their own answers to complex issues, even at a very early age through, experiencing a high-quality theatre adventure.
Show information
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- Available for booking for a limited period between 24 October – 15 November 2026 only.
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- £1,250 + VAT.
- For 1, 2 or 3 shows per day (3-show days tour logistics dependent)
- OperaUpClose is based in Southampton. For venues at very long distances from Southampton, an additional supplement of £100 per day may apply. Note venues that require a get-in the day before may be subject to a fee supplement. Please enquire.
- Please note that these fees are subject to a small additional supplement if your venue makes a compulsory contra to us for your costs at the contracting stage (e.g. credit card/box office; get-in/out; marketing/brochure contributions).
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- Performances last 35 mins (no interval).
- 1, 2 or 3 shows a day.
- If a 2 or 3 show day is booked, a minimum of 2 hours between the start of shows is required (e.g. 11am and 1pm or 11am, 1pm and 3pm).
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- Get-in: 2.5 hours with pre-rig completed prior to get in, plus an opportunity for a balance call prior to the half.
- Get-out: 1 hour.
- Venue Configuration: End-on, minimum 6m (W) X 5m (D)
- Lighting: A full lighting plan will be supplied when known and we will require the use of the venues lighting desk.
- Sound: We are anticipating a fully acoustic performance, but if we do require amplified sound it will just plug into the venues P.A. system.
- Staffing: On tour, there are five performers plus a company technical stage manager who will operate lighting and sound and a company stage manager. We will require one in-house technician to assist with get-in, focus, plot and the get-out.
- Parking: For a van with set/costumes (no bigger than a Luton)
- Facilities: 2 Dressing rooms for 5 performers
Technical Requirements for non-traditional spaces inc rural touring spaces, libraries and community spaces:
- The piece can perform self-sufficiently without blackout and will be performed acoustically.
- All we need is one contact to help with get-ins. Set-up time would reduce to 90 mins, exit within 60 mins.
- All equipment is toured. There is no requirement for the in-house P.A.
- Lighting control is a toured via Nomad so a DMX connection to the house dimmers is required to control the venue pre-rigged items that are part of the lighting design (expected to be 1 or 2 overheads only).
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- Dedicated support from the marketing/PR and technical team at Half Moon.
- Up to 500 A5 colour flyers and 20 A3 colour posters. (NB: overprinting will be at an additional cost, please enquire).
- Images/production photos and other digital assets for use within venue brochures or broader usage.
Bradley Travis | 020 7709 8902 or bradley@halfmoon.org.uk
Emily Richelle | 020 7709 8901 / emilyr@halfmoon.org.uk
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