KIRKBIE Kendal School presents a new adaptation of Anne Fine’s classic children’s book, Bill’s New Frock, on Tuesday, December 10 (7pm).

The school’s head of drama Louise Gallagher said it was a fabulous story which was written in the 1980s but which still has resonance today.

Added Louise: “The production is a particularly exciting opportunity for our older students who are applying to drama school at the moment and who are able to say that they have directed their own piece. It’s also fantastic to see so many of our new year sevens involved.”

Louise said she had the idea to put on the play when she saw Anne Fine give a talk in Newcastle over a year ago. However, she was unable to find a suitable script.

Undaunted, Louise - who has two professionally produced plays to her name - decided to write her own version, which received top marks from author Anne.

“This is very much intended to be an ensemble piece,” continued Louise. “Every member of the cast has an important role – for example, we have one student playing Bill’s cat and another his bedroom mirror. Although I’ve written the script, the students contributed to each scene before pen went to paper, so it is truly a group effort. I’m so glad we took this approach as they’ve come up with some fantastically entertaining ideas.”

The light-hearted plot starts with a boy, Bill, waking up as a girl. To further complicate things, his mother then puts him in a frilly pink dress. The play follows his adventures and misadventures as each person he meets that day sees the frock and treats him accordingly. “Anne Fine wrote this story as a reaction to sexism in schools in the 1980s,” explained Louise. “In particular, boys learning woodwork while girls were learning how to cook. Thankfully we have moved on since then, but the central message of the story - not to judge others by their appearance - remains relevant to lots of situations.”

The same evening KKS Drama Club will present short pieces also based on the theme of transformation. Students will not only be involved in acting but also lighting, sound, directing and writing. Highlights include Life, directed by Becky Black and devised by year eight drama club. Another piece is based on the scary transformation into vampires and other mythical creatures devised by year seven drama club, directed by Haydn Whitehead and Connor Barker.

Tickets are available from KKS reception.