FOLLOWING on from last year’s hugely successful touring production of The Princess and the Pea, the latest York Theatre Royal and tutti frutti co-production, Snow Child comes to the De Grey Rooms Ballroom from Tuesday, February 23 to Saturday, March 5.

As autumn leaves fall and the foxes, wolves and bears hide among the trees, this is a magical story about family, love and the power of dreams.

The first snow falls. Watching the village children play, a lonely couple yearn for a child of their own. They build a small figure from the ice and snow, and wish very, very hard… until the strength of their longing brings the magical snow child to life before their eyes.

She’s a girl like no other. As she dances in the wild landscape and talks with the animals, she brings joy, fun and laughter to the whole village. But it’s not easy, bringing up a wild daughter of the blizzards and the wind. As the seasons turn, and winter gives way to spring and summer, will the Snow Child and her parents find their “happily ever after”?

Inspired by Arthur Ransome’s adaptation of the Russian folk tale The Little Daughter of the Snow tutti frutti and York Theatre Royal bring you writer Emma Reeves’ new play following her huge success with her adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson’s Hetty Feather (West End) and her TV triumphs; Tracy Beaker and the Dumping Ground as well as her new up and coming show Eve.

The play will be directed by tutti frutti’s artistic director Wendy Harris and the cast is made up of Mei Mac playing Snow Child, Paula James as Mother and animals and Mark Pearce as Father and animals.

With atmospheric music by Ollie Birch, beautiful movement by Joanne Bernard and an inspired design brought to you by Kate Bunce, this promises to be a wonderland of poignant, inventive storytelling to enchant children and families.

Writer Emma Reeves said: "Like all the best legends, there are many versions available, some of which end happily, others not so much. But the central story is always there, two parents who yearn for a child so much that their very love and desperation wills her into being, and a child who loves her parents but doesn’t understand them - and vice-versa.

"I wanted to write a story about unconditional love, and how we wittingly or unwittingly test the people we love - and how we try to forgive them when they fail."

Snow Child is a performance for children aged three to eight and their families. Tickets are priced £12 for adults, £10 for concessions and £6 for children under 16 (£1 transaction fee per booking) and are available from York Theatre Royal Box Office in person, by phoning 01904 623568 or online at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk