HETTY FEATHER Transfers To Vaudeville Theatre For Limited Summer Season

Following a critically acclaimed and hugely popular run at the Rose Theatre, Kingston, and a smash-hit national and international tour, best-selling author Jacqueline Wilson's tale of fiery and feisty Hetty Feather transfers to the Vaudeville Theatre for a limited run over the summer. The production is brought thrillingly to life on stage by award-winning script writer Emma Reeves, and the Olivier Award nominated director Sally Cookson. The production opens on 6 August (press performances at 2pm & 7pm), with previews from 5 August, and runs until 6 September.

With an original score by Benji Bower, live instrumental music, aerial and circus skills set against Katie Sykes' striking design, Hetty Feather is a unique story-telling adventure. It is the first historical work by Wilson that makes the trials of nineteenth century life accessible to children through her compelling heroine.

Join Hetty as she takes on Victorian London and overcomes all in her search to find her real mother and a true family of her own.

Jacqueline Wilson said today, "I'm so thrilled with the stage version of Hetty Feather - and this deserved West End transfer. I couldn't have asked for a more inventive director, a better adaptor, or more fabulous cast. Phoebe Thomas is wonderful as Hetty, perfectly capturing her spirit. I've watched the show five times - and every child and adult I've spoken to agrees with me that the stage show is fantastic. You laugh, you cry, you gasp - and at the end you'll clap until your hands ache."

Hetty Feather is currently playing in Dubai, before continuing its UK tour to King's Theatre, Edinburgh (27 - 31 May), Arts Theatre, Cambridge (3 - 8 June), and Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

(17 - 21 June), ahead of its West End run.

Jacqueline Wilson (novelist) is one of Britain's most popular authors, selling over 35 million books in the UK alone. Her most successful and enduring creation is the Tracy Beaker series. In 2002 she was awarded the OBE for services to literacy in schools and in 2008 she became Dame Jacqueline Wilson. In the same year she became the Foundling Museum's first Coram Foundling Fellow. From 2005 to 2007 she was the Children's Laureate. Her 100th book will be published later this year. In April 2014, the V&A Museum of Childhood opened Daydreams and Diaries, the Story of Jacqueline Wilson, an exhibition exploring her life and work. Hetty Feather is published by Random House, and the first in a trilogy of books which includes Sapphire Battersea and Emerald Star - the series has been hugely successful not just in the UK, but also internationally.

Emma Reeves (playwright) has worked with Wilson on a number of projects, most notably writing the television adaptations for the Tracy Beaker series. Her other stage adaptations include Carrie's War (West End & UK tour),Little Women and Cool Hand Luke in the West End. She is currently working on her own show Eve, due to air on CBBC.

Sally Cookson (Director) is an associate artist of Bristol Old Vic where her work includes Jane Eyre, The Boy Who Cried Wolf!, Peter Pan, Treasure Island and Pains of Youth. Other theatre credits include We're Going on a Bear Hunt,Bob the Man on the Moon, The Ugly Duckling, and the Olivier Award-nominated Cinderella - which following its opening at the Tobacco Factory played seasons at both the St James and Unicorn Theatres. As an actress she has performed at the National Theatre, Almeida and the Young Vic.

Designs are by Katie Sykes, original music and score by Benji Bower with additional composition by Seamas H Carey and Luke Potter, aerial direction by Gwen Hales, lighting design by Aideen Malone, and sound design byLeigh Davies.