Norwich Puppet Theatre's Christmas show Beauty and the Beast opens to the public tomorrow - and its creators say it is a multi-media treat that will appeal to all ages.
The production aims to prove that puppet shows are not just for youngsters, and it presents the classic fairy tale using a mix of film, animation, live performance, original music and puppetry.
The show's director is Gavin Glover who co-founded Faulty Optic Theatre of Animation, a company that is known for its adult contemporary puppet theatre.
'With my previous work grown adults say that they can't believe how much they've enjoyed watching a 'mere' puppet show,' Mr Glover said.
'With Beauty and the Beast what we've created is a quite bonkers adaption of the story which will entertain the grown-ups as much as the children.'
The show offers a new twist on the traditional tale and is set in the 1920s and 30s cinema era. The story follows
Belle as she travels from the American desert to the big city to become a movie star, and among the characters she meets along the way are a hungry vulture, a faithful horse and Merill the 'Greatest Movie Producer in all the Americas.'
Joy Haynes, director of Norwich Puppet Theatre said: 'Beauty and the Beast is a show you couldn't find anywhere else and a great introduction to this amazing art form. It's a production you can bring not just the children to but also your friends, aunties, uncles and grandparents.'
With only a handful of dedicated puppet theatre's left in the country, Norwich Puppet Theatre really flies the flag for the art form.
Mr Glover said: 'Puppet theatre is special because it mixes craft, performance and theatre making together to create an experience which is unique. Even if you're an adult you still have this weird primitive instinct which allows you to believe that something which is obviously not alive, is not only living but breathing and thinking in front of your eyes.'
• Beauty and the Beast is at Norwich Puppet Theatre from Saturday, December 20 until Saturday, January 17 January.
For more details, including show times and how to book, visit www.puppettheatre.co.uk
• Do you have a Norwich arts story? Email arts correspondent Emma Knights at emma.knights@archant.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here