BESTSELLING author Jacqueline Wilson’s Hetty Feather comes to the main stage in a York Theatre Royal (YTR)Youth Theatre production from August 30 to September 1.

Emma Reeves has adapted the novel for the stage. The production is directed by Youth Theatre Director Kate Veysey.

A cast of 45 young people will perform alongside professional actor Laura Soper, who comes from York and is a former member of YTR Youth Theatre

The role of Hetty Feather is played by long-standing Youth Theatre member Hannah Brown, 18, who has previously appeared in the main house productions of His Dark Materials and The Witches.

Hannah said: “From reading the story I knew immediately that I wanted to audition for the role of Hetty, the chance to play such a challenging and complex character was not one I was going to miss. I’m looking forward to working with a great cast, especially the elephant!”

There will also be a younger version of Hetty played by one of the Theatre Royal’s Home School members eight-year-old Rowan Sharp.

The cast also features a life-size elephant puppet made by Marc Parrett from Puppets 4 Peas, who is also making puppets for the main house production of Swallows & Amazons. He is building Elijah the elephant over four days with seven members of the company who will then puppeteer the elephant on stage.

The production features aerial choreography on silks and hoops by aerial choreographer Jen Parry, of High Hoops in Deighton. Twelve of the company are training for two months alongside Laura in aerial hoops and silks with Jen. Director Kate Veysey also did two sessions with Jen to learn the vocabulary and techniques of aerial choreography.

Jen said “The young people I am training for Hetty Feather have so much energy, determination and enthusiasm that it has been an utter joy to work with them on creating scenes of aerial magic for the show.”

Kate Veysey says: “This is the largest and most ambitious main house production I’ve ever directed. I’m really excited to work with such a brilliant creative team as well as actor Laura Soper, with whom I’ve previously worked with as a member of our Youth Theatre, and 45 young people who will be spending 200 hours creating this epic show.”n.

The show is sponsored by Grand Central and Aaztec Cubicles

For tickets contact the box office on 01904 623568 or go to yorktheatreroyal.co.uk