FOLLOWING its critically-acclaimed world premiere in London at the Old Vic, Wise Children, written by Angela Carter, adapted and directed by Emma Rice, comes to York Theatre Royal next month.

Wise Children marks a reunion for York Theatre Royal’s executive director Tom Bird and Emma Rice.

He was executive producer at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre in London and worked with Emma during her time there as artistic director.

Now Emma brings her unique, exuberantly impish vision to Angela Carter’s great last novel, Wise Children, launching her new theatre company of the same name.

In Brixton, Nora and Dora Chance - twin chorus girls born and bred south of the river – are celebrating their 75th birthday.

Over the river in Chelsea, their father and greatest actor of his generation Melchior Hazard turns 100 on the same day.

As does his twin brother Peregrine. If, in fact, he’s still alive. And if, in truth, Melchior is their real father after all...

A big, bawdy tangle of theatrical joy and heartbreak, Wise Children is a celebration of show business, family, forgiveness and hope. Expect show girls and Shakespeare, sex and scandal, music, mischief and mistaken identity - and butterflies by the thousand.

Before forming Wise Children, Emma was artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe, where she directed Romantics Anonymous, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Little Matchgirl (and Other Happier Tales).

For the previous 20 years, she worked for Kneehigh as an actor, director and artistic director. Her productions for Kneehigh include The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, Tristan & Yseult, 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips, The Wild Bride, The Red Shoes and The Wooden Frock.

Other work includes the West End production of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Oedipussy (Spymonkey); The Empress (RSC) and An Audience with Meow Meow (Berkeley Repertory Theatre).

Wise Children is recommended for those over 14 years of age.

Tickets are from £17 and available from the box office on 01904 623568 or go to yorktheatreroyal.co.uk