Award-winning local artist Ian Mood has joined The Little Mermaid company as the New Vic’s Artist in Residence for autumn 2025, with the aim of documenting the creative process of making a stage production, both on and off stage, from the start of rehearsals through to the first performance of the New Vic’s Christmas show.
Born in Stoke-on-Trent and renowned for his evocative portrayals of landscapes and seascapes, Ian Mood’s work explores the constantly changing and unpredictable natural world and is represented in numerous galleries both in the UK and the USA.
We asked Ian how it feels to be working with the New Vic on his latest project:
Ian: “What’s really exciting about this is that we’re capturing the tremendous work that’s happening both on and off stage: the production, design, costume, and everything in between. In effect, it’s celebrating the whole New Vic team that comes together to make a production like this possible.
“There’s a discipline of ‘figurative drawing’ as a fine artist and a lot of it involves sitting in life rooms with somebody posed, which is great, but I wanted to explore a new environment where I could capture beautiful costumes, beautiful lighting, amazing athleticism, action and musical performances… and theatre was an obvious choice for this.”
Having recently collaborated with the National Theatre on their production of The Madness of George III (with Mark Gatiss) and the Royal Exchange Manchester during Mother Courage (with Julie Hesmondhalgh),his work at the New Vic will mark the third theatre residency Ian has undertaken during his artistic career.
Ian: “There’s a long-standing history between artists and theatres and it’s wonderful to be honouring that history and pushing it in a contemporary way through my work here at the New Vic.
“Many artists like Degas, Manet and Sickert used to go and paint in ballet and theatre spaces for the same reasons: to visually record the performance and the dynamics. Capturing the movements, the full effects of the stage and everybody working together behind the scenes is a real privilege.”
The New Vic’s production of The Little Mermaid features circus action, live music and dazzling visual effects. Having attended rehearsals since early October, Ian said:
“All the aerial performances on the silks are absolutely amazing to watch. There’s a real sense of weightlessness and some beautiful balletic shapes and movements going on, which are really interesting to capture. Everything that’s going on here really lends itself to charcoal sketches, because of the big sweeping lines and the dramatic contrasts and shapes. Though I think I’ll be working in oils when it comes to the final exhibition.”
Working with the New Vic Education department, Ian also has plans to host workshops for local schools to explore the on-stage action, set design and the many off-stage creative aspects involved in creating a visual under-the-sea world. Ian said:
“Before working with Appetite [the Creative People and Place for Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme led by the New Vic], I hadn’t been involved in any community or educational work. Since then, I have been able to share my creativity with local people: refugees, veterans, schools, children and adults of all backgrounds… it’s really rewarding to be able to share the power of art with others, it’s incredible.
“People just become so creative and liberated when they are able to play and push themselves in a community space where they can be free and fearless. I think for local kids to come and see, not only that you can experience a production like this as an audience member, but also learn about the possibilities of having a career in art or in another creative field is really important as a kid from Stoke. There are many community-based organisations in the local area that make a real difference and go a long way to inspiring others to pursue their creativity.”
Ian will be exhibiting his work at the New Vic in February 2026 – we cannot wait to see his artistic interpretation of The Little Mermaid!