Stage production of Babe the Sheep Pig to open in London

New stage adaptation will open at the Polka Theatre.

Tom O'Connell Productions and Polka Theatre have announced a new stage production of Babe, the Sheep Pig adapted for the stage by David Wood from the best-selling book by Dick King-Smith which will open in London at the Polka Theatre in south London ahead of a UK tour.

Directed by Michael Fentiman the production will run in London from 25 November 2016 to 5 February 2017, before transferring to the West Yorkshire Playhouse on Monday 13 February.

"Meet the lovable Babe in a heart-warming tale of friendship, adventure and bravery. When Babe arrives at Hogget's Farm he is taken in by the trusty sheep-dog Fly, and soon discovers a talent for herding. With the help of his adopted Mum, the polite piglet soon wins over the most suspicious of sheep. But can a small pig make it in a dog's world, and when his farmyard friends are in trouble can Babe save the day?"

This new stage production has been adapted by Olivier Award-winning playwright David Wood OBE, best known for stage adaptations of 'Goodnight Mister Tom', 'James and the Giant Peach', and 'The Tiger Who Came to Tea'. He recently wrote the book and lyrics for new musical The Go-Between which ran at the Apollo Theatre in London's West End.

The production will feature puppets created by Max Humphries and Dik Downey, with puppetry direction by War Horse's Matthew Forbes. It will feature costume and scenic design by Madeleine Girling, lighting design by Jack Knowles, sound design by George Dennis and original music by Barnaby Rose.

The cast of actor-musicians will include Emma Barclay (Mrs Hogget), Nicola Blackman (Fly), Oliver Grant (Babe/Sheep) and Ben Ingles (Farmer Hogget), Claire Greenway, Jacqui Sanchez, Lucy Thomas and Sam Wilmott.

Dick King-Smith's The Sheep-Pig was first published in 1983, and has since been translated into fifteen languages, as well as winning King-Smith the Guardian Children's Fiction Award. The film version was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won one for Best Visual Effects, as well as winning the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy.

Tickets for Babe the Sheep Pig at the Polka Theatre are now on sale.