Following the huge success of their previous production of Gangsta Granny, the award-winning Birmingham Stage Company are once again working with best-selling children’s author and comedian on a new adaptation of his novel Awful Auntie.

Ahead of the shows arrival at the Belgrade Theatre this half-term, Birmingham Stage Company founder Neal Foster tells us more about bringing the book to life on stage.

Tell us a bit about the story of Awful Auntie

It features an awful Auntie who wants to kill her niece in order to take possession of the family home. You know from the moment the book starts that Stella is in for the fight of her life and David doesn't waste any time in firing the starting gun for the battle. The audience are going to witness an epic struggle between two very strong female characters.

What was it about Awful Auntie that made you think it would work best as a stage show?

I adored the book when I read it and fell totally in love with Stella, the young heroine of the story. I knew instantly it would make a fabulous theatre show because it is such a thrilling and gripping story that is very unusual for a children's book.

The problem was that I had absolutely no idea how it could be physically done on stage and so with huge reluctance I put the book back on the shelf. Six months later I woke up with an idea on my mind about how it could be staged. As it turned out, my wonderful set designer Jackie Trousdale thought up an even more adventurous and ambitious way to stage the story - and very soon you're about to find out what we've created!

What we might expect from the production?

 This is the biggest show we’ve ever staged in our twenty-five-year history. It’s an enormous set to recreate Saxby Hall, a Rolls Royce car, a giant owl, special effects, all wrapped up in the most thrilling story, which unfolds in real time – something I’m not sure has ever been done before. It will be thrilling, scary and hilarious all at the same time!

Awful Auntie runs on the Main Stage at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry from Tuesday 20 until Saturday 24 February. Tickets are available to book now by calling the box office on 024 7655 3055, or by visiting the website at www.belgrade.co.uk where tickets are even cheaper.