A RE-WORKING of a classic tale by Hans Christian Anderson will be performed at Weymouth Pavilion on Friday.

AsOne Theatre is staging family show Tinderbox.

The play has been touring throughout the autumn and features local youngsters from St John’s School and St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School in its cast.

Tinderbox takes its audience on a thrilling journey with a war-torn soldier meeting an obstinate princess, a strange wise woman aided by three unearthly dogs, and a magic tinderbox.

Along the way the audience will encounter wave tossed seas, venture deep under a tree, battle whirling snow - to break locks and free true love.

This is an audio visual treat with a blend of powerful physical storytelling, puppetry and shadow play interwoven by evocative songs and music from the talented Joe Butcher, who since graduating from Bath Spa University, is making his name as a singer songwriter on the festival circuit; and the popular, quirky animation of Dorset’s Thomas Hughes, a multi-instrumentalist musician and film maker.

The play – which premiered last month in Dorchester’s Corn Exchange - has now toured into six counties.

It is directed by its writer Jacqueline Avery of Weymouth.

Tinderbox is part of the Pavilion and AsOne’s mission to revive quality, entertaining yet surprising theatre for all the family to enjoy.

AsOne Theatre Company’s Artistic Director Jane McKell said: "We wanted to bring a magical contemporary piece of theatre to the stage that unites the extended family, and has them leaving the theatre talking about what has just engaged and excited them. "Tinderbox is a thrilling story with strong, colourful yet vulnerable characters, and themes of adventure, love, loss, and lessons learned.

"The multi-media way we tell it; the combination of puppets, life music, animated image and talented physical performance adds up to magic for all the family.

"Our Tinderbox neither patronises nor over-intellectualises; we laugh and cry- out with the characters in a rollicking adventure."

Director, Jacqueline Avery has cleverly written and directed this show to appeal widely. Jackie said: “When I sat down to write this piece I had my own two small children in mind as well as myself and my friends. It was a process of finding ways for it to appeal to all.

"That was quite tough. At the end of the day I think we can all appreciate the escapism of visual theatre - whether we are mesmerised by some puppetry or enchanted by some beautiful animation.

"We are in a world of make-believe for a short time. That is important for us all.”

There will be a collection for West Dorset Home Start during the performance.

The play begins at 7.30pm on Friday and runs for 75 minutes. Contact Weymouth Pavilion for tickets.

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