ONE of the most anticipated theatre productions for many years opens at the Old Laundry Theatre next week.

In fact, you could say a little bit of cultural history is being made as the curtain rises at the celebrated Bowness theatre on the world premiere of Where Is Peter Rabbit?

Running from Monday, June 27, for ten weeks, the brand new family musical adventure is based on Beatrix Potter‘s little books and five of her best loved animal characters: Peter Rabbit, Jeremy Fisher, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, Jemima Puddle-Duck and the darker villainous Mr Todd.

Apparently, the idea of the show started when eminent theatre set designer Roger Glossop and his theatre producer wife Charlotte Scott, who own The World Of Beatrix Potter Attraction, approached Warne publishers and asked if Jemima Puddle-Duck could have a conversation with Beatrix Potter?

From there, Roger was in touch with life-long friend and patron of the Old Laundry, Sir Alan Ayckbourn.

So who better placed to write the lyrics and keep true to BP’s wit and love of the Lakes, than the noble knight of theatre himself.

Where Is Peter Rabbit? will capture Beatrix Potter's poetry, freshness and humour, while staying faithful to her unforgettable illustrations.

The cast of six are Grace Eccle (Titanic Toronto, Saturday Night Fever Frankfurt); Steven Hardcastle (Russell T Davis’ BBC A Midsummer’s Night Dream); Oliver Mawdsley (A Midsummer’s Night Dream Lysander, Godspell, Jesus); Danielle Morris (Gypsy Chichester, Whistle Down The Wind Union Theatre); Katie Shearman (The Sound Of Music national tour, Girlfriends Union Theatre) and Molly Walters (Sophie The Tiger Who Came To Tea national tour). Between them they will be playing everything from Beatrix Potter to Mr McGregor, Mr Todd and Tommy Brock; to Lucie and Ptolemy Tortoise - and the script even gives a starring role to one little book’s collie dog Kep - mixing character acting and performance with the stunningly life-like creatures.

Not forgetting Miriam Margolyes and Griff Rhys Jones who lend their voices to the five-star production too!

The innovative show combines live performance, projection and recording in a thoroughly interactive and magical way.

Music is courtesy of composer Steven Edis, who came to the production highly recommended by another close friend of Roger and Charlotte's the late, great Victoria Wood.

During its ten week run, Where Is Peter Rabbit? will play up to three shows a day throughout the summer until Sunday, September 4.

And the theatrical experience doesn’t need to stop there, as the attraction has launched Character breakfast, afternoon tea and high-tea/supper parties, to be enjoyed before or after the live family show, in their brand new special catering and events building the Laundrama.

Roger says that Beatrix Potter has dominated their lives for the last 25 years, in a good way, so it is fantastic to have this year's double celebration. He adds: "From the day we opened the door 25 years ago, Beatrix Potter has taken us on an exhilarating journey - exhibition, garden, shop, restaurant, online, theatre and ongoing - we couldn't have aligned our creative and business life with a more original, entrepreneurial and visionary woman.”

Box office 08445-040604.