A LITTLE bit of stardust is coming to Dorset.

The first stage adaptation of Stardust by Neil Gaiman is touring this Christmas, and will call in at Corfe Castle, Toller Porcorum, West Lulworth and Poole.

Hampshire-based theatre company Forest Forge is bringing the production to Dorset.

Written by winner of Book of the Year prize in 2013, Neil Gaiman, Stardust was made into a film starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Claire Danes and Robert De Niro in 2007.

It tells the story of a young man who wished to gain his heart’s desire.

In long ago England, on the edge of the town, guarded around the clock, a stone wall separates the quiet town from the magical land of Faerie.

Here, a young man has lost his heart and mind to the hauntingly beautiful Victoria Forester. And then, in the dead of night, a shooting star falls and breaches the wall of his love, sending him on the adventure of a lifetime.

In the luminescent glow of this star he will battle witches, sorcery, and fate, before finding his heart’s true desire.

Kirstie Davis, artistic director of Forest Forge, said: “Stardust has long been one of my favourite books – I love the epic storytelling, the fantastical worlds that we also completely believe in and recognise, and the wit as well as the emotion.

“So we were so excited when Neil Gaiman gave us permission to adapt it for the first time for the stage. Russ Tunney who is adapting it has done a wonderful job which is faithful to the book, but also enables us to create this world with four actors and lots of puppets.

“I hope the audience enjoy the magical rollercoaster ride that is Stardust as it is a real fight between good and evil and also the search for true love.”

Russ Tunney, who has adapted Stardust for the stage, said: “It is a privilege to be entrusted with a story like Stardust.

“Those who know Neil Gaiman’s work will know how he spins magic and gold with words. For those who don’t, expect to come out of the theatre believing in unicorns, witches, zombie trees and love.”

Three returning Forest Forge actors will be in Stardust – Michael Cole, Stacey Evans and Zachary Powell, alongside a new actor to the company – Alana Armstrong. Stardust is at Corfe Castle Village Hall on Friday, December 19 at 7.30pm, Toller Porcurum Village Hall on Wednesday, January 14 and West Lulworth Village Hall on Friday, January 23. It is also at the Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts, on Saturday, January 31 at 2.30pm. See forestforge.co.uk for details.