THE unmistakable voices of actors Griff Rhys Jones and Miriam Margolyes are to feature in a new musical celebrating the tales of Beatrix Potter.

Where Is Peter Rabbit? - with lyrics by world-famous playwright Alan Ayckbourn - is to premiere at the Old Laundry Theatre, Bowness, on Monday, June 27.

Rhys Jones and Margolyes are lending their distinctive voices as storytellers, and have been in the recording studio to read the much-loved tales of Peter Rabbit, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, Jemima Puddle-Duck and Mr Jeremy Fisher. Both say they are big fans of Beatrix Potter and the Old Laundry.

"The characters leap into your heart," said Margolyes, 75, who played Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter movies, and whose film and TV credits include Babe, James and the Giant Peach and Blackadder.

"You can tell the little books were written a while ago, but there is a directness and a freshness that comes through the text and they will live for all time.

"It’s a window back into childhood and the simplicity, the lack of guile – they’re very, very charming."

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Rhys Jones, 62, said that cherished children's books were handed down "like golden gems" and he praised Beatrix Potter's observations of "the strange life of animals".

His own Indian Runner and Aylesbury ducks reminded him of Jemima Puddle-Duck, because of their habit of wandering off to lay their eggs, said the Welsh actor and comedian, who rose to fame on Not the Nine O'Clock News.

"The way that Peter Rabbit behaves is so well worked out too. He’s the most famous character but it’s the memorable fierce gardener Mr McGregor that reminds me of how adults watch kids running out into the garden and see them stealing the peas, or playing and doing naughty things, like we used to do - we always ended up getting caught…. and that’s the tale of Peter Rabbit!"

The Peter Rabbit musical is to combine live performances with projection and recording. The cast of six ensemble players has been confirmed as Grace Eccle, Steven Hardcastle, Oliver Mawdsley, Danielle Morris, Katie Shearman and Molly Walters. Between them they will be playing everything from Beatrix Potter to Mr McGregor, Mr Todd, Tommy Brock, Lucie and Ptolemy Tortoise.

The composer is Steven Edis, who was introduced and recommended to the team by the late Victoria Wood, who was a dear friend and trustee of the Old Laundry.

The musical is to play up to three shows a day until Sunday, September 4. Box Office 08445-040604, www.oldlaundrytheatre.co.uk