A HUSBAND and wife will headline a Christmas production of Hansel and Gretel at the Stephen Joseph Theatre (SJT).

Peter Basham and Elinor Lawless are playing brother and sister in the title roles at the Scarborough venue, with the show running from December 10 to 27.

Also new to the company is Eithne Browne appearing as Mother and the Wicked Witch, while Jamie Chapman returns to play both father and a giant mouse.

SJT associate director Henry Bell takes charge of a unique adaptation by award-winning writer Mike Kenny, featuring music by Oli Steadman from the band Stornoway and design by Lucy Weller.

Its dinner time and a family gathers round the table as usual but today, instead of grumbling about the food, they begin to tell the tale of Hansel and Gretel.

The story comes to life as mum’s knitting becomes a witch’s outfit, the tea cosy a mouse, and mum, dad and their two children sing, laugh, quake and cry their way through the Grimms’ famous tale.

Henry said: “I'm thrilled to welcome new faces and fresh talent to the Stephen Joseph Theatre, as well as bringing back Jamie Chapman, who I loved working with this summer.

"All four cast members are exceptionally skilled performers and I can't wait to start exploiting their many talents in rehearsals.

"I'm also happy that Peter and Elinor will spend Christmas together - separating married couples over this time can get directors in all sorts of trouble.”

Tickets, priced from £9 for children, £15 for adults and family tickets from £40, are available online at sjt.uk.com and from the box office on 01723 370541.