Laika

Laika was the first dog in space — and did not come back. Russell Hepplewhite’s opera, to a libretto by Tim Yealland, tells her story for children and adults; Forum neue Kunst gave its German premiere in August 2022 at ZUKUNFT.unternehmen, a space never before used for music theatre. The title role is a textile puppet made for the production by Merle Smalla.

The British composer worked with the ensemble in Oldenburg on two visits; the production was recorded on three cameras.