A FAMILY theatre show will be officially launched in Dorchester next weekend.

Youngsters are invited on a special quest - to help find the lost theatre props in Dorchester town centre on Saturday September 26 at 12pm.

The invitation comes ahead of AsOne Theatre Company’s show Tinderbox.

People can go to the Town Pump, where Sir Tuttleclack has hidden a dastardly plot to prevent their exciting AsCend Ensemble performing its premiere of Tinderbox at the Corn Exchange.

But if Sir Tuttleclack is defeated the show will be premiered at the Corn Exchange at 7pm on Friday October 16.

AsOne invite you to meet the company’s Tinderbox Soldier and Princess in Dorchester at the Town’s Pump, the top of South Street (or if wet at The Corn Exchange) to join them in some music, games, and win some chocolate coins before joining the Tinderbox Family Quest.

Hidden in the town will be 15 lost props for people to find.

AsOne Theatre Company’s artistic director Jane McKell said: ‘The only time Questers can meet the characters is at the launch on September 26.

"Anyone can have a go, so join in and have a fun afternoon as a prelude to our wonderful play.

"Tinderbox has talented physical storytelling, animated image, puppetry and live original music and has been created for any age to enjoy."

Tinderbox is AsOne Theatre Company’s latest original production; its AsCend Ensemble is touring this autumn with 18 performances in six counties.

AsCend’s lead, Jacqueline Avery has written, and is directing her re-imagining of a classic Hans Christian Andersen tale, firmly putting the magic back into family theatre.

The Quest on Saturday 26 September at 12 pm midday; runs for three weeks with a prize for the winners each week – announced at The Premiere performance of Tinderbox.

The Questers' instructions and rhyming clues are lodged at the Tourist Information Centre, Antelope Walk, Dorchester.

There are prizes from Waterstones, The Walnut Tree, and the Dorset County Museum.