It has been announced that a new production of Dick King-Smith’s Babe the Sheep Pig will head off on a UK tour, after a Christmas season at the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon from the 25th November.
Transformed for the stage by David Wood, Dick King-Smith’s beloved children’s novel Babe The Sheep- Pig will be touring the UK from until the 10th September 2017, with further dates to be confirmed.
The production, directed by Michael Fentiman, tells the story of loveable pig Babe who arrives at Hogget’s Farm and is taken in by the trusty sheep-dog Fly, and soon discovers a talent for herding. But can a small pig make it in a dog’s world and help his farm yard friends when they are in trouble?
The original novel was published in 1983 and was later turned into an Oscar winning film, nominated for seven Academy Awards and won one for Best Visual Effects, as well as winning the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy.
Adapted for the stage by David Wood, who is best known for his adaptations of Goodnight Mister Tom, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG and The Tiger Who Came to Tea. He has also recently written the book and lyrics for new musical The Go-Between, currently playing in the West End.
David Wood said: “I am delighted that Babe, The Sheep-Pig is returning. It is a wonderful novel which I took huge pleasure in adapting. Good luck to the whole team on this new production!”
Michael Fentiman’s previous work includes: The Taming of the Shrew and Titus Andronicus (RSC) and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Kensington Gardens) which he co-directed with Rupert Goold.
Meanwhile, the residents of Hogget’s farm will be brought to life by beautiful hand-crafted puppets, created by award-winning puppet designer Max Humphries(Chief Puppet Designer, Cirque de Soleil) and Dik Downey.
The cast of actor-musicians will include Emma Barclay (You Me Bum Bum Train) as Mrs Hogget, Olivier Award-nominated Nicola Blackman (Little Shop of Horrors and The Lion King, West End) as Fly, Oliver Grant (War Horse, National Theatre) as Babe/Sheep and Ben Ingles (Romeo and Juliet, RSC) as Farmer Hogget. The cast also features Claire Greenway (Sister Act, London Palladium), Jacqui Sanchez (Shrek the Musical and Avenue Q, West End),Lucy Thomas (Bugsy Malone, Lyric Hammersmith) and Sam Wilmott (Wicked and Lord of the Rings, West End).
Babe the Sheep-Pig will open at the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon on the 25th November before embarking on a UK tour from February 2017. For more information on the tour dates and to book tickets visit: http://www.babethepiglive.com/.