His stories are read by millions of children across the UK and the rest of the world and now one of David Walliams' creations is coming to your doorstep as part of a world tour.

Get ready to blast off to the moon with Sheila the Hippo at the Beck Theatre in Hayes .

It's one of over 40 locations across the country showing the stage adaptation of David Walliams', The First Hippo on the Moon, which is currently running at the Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne.

The story is a space adventure which follows Sheila the Hippo as she competes with the incredibly rich Hercules Waldorf-Franklin III to become the first Hippo to set foot the moon.

David Walliams' book has been adapted for stage

"I have always been fascinated with the space race of the 1960s and wanted to do a spoof on that." says author David Walliams.

"I like the idea of hippos going to the moon as they are the animals least likely to.

"It’s a very visual book, with amazing illustrations by Tony Ross, so it should be a very colourful stage production."

The production has been adapted for the stage by Les Enfants Terribles and Les Petits Artistic Director Oliver Lansley who has experience with children's theatre.

Artistic Director Oliver Lansley says there was something about the book which caught his eye: "A cracking, pompous female Hippo as our lead, a jungle full of animals and race to the moon - It just seemed so full of opportunity that we had to adapt it for the stage!"

The animals on stage are depicted by puppets, designed by Nick Barnes and Finn Calwell, just some of the minds behind the iconic War Horse puppets

"The puppets are all voiced live on stage by the puppeteers manipulating them" says Puppet Maker and Director, Finn Calwell.

He adds: "Our central Hippo (Shelia) wears a hippo suit and mask. All of the other characters of various sizes and shapes are what you might call contact puppets in that the performers are in direct connection with them."

Sheila and Hercules battle it out to become the first Hippo on the Moon

"My absolute hero is Roald Dahl"

Comedian and author, David Walliams began his publishing career in 2008 and has often been compared to Roald Dahl, and it's not hard to see why.

He has sold over 9.5 million books in the UK and his work has been translated into 45 different languages.

The children's author says he has many inspirations: "There are so many great writers for children right now."

"My personal favourites right now are JK Rowling, Julia Donaldson, Dame Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Morpurgo. When I a young child I loved Richard Scarry and Dr Seuss.

"My absolute hero is Roald Dahl. He is the greatest children’s writer of all time as he wrote so many brilliant books."

The comedian began his publishing career in 2008

And if you are planning to head along to the show, well the number one bestselling children's author has this message for families: "Whoever you are you should dream big, just like Sheila the hippo.

"Plus if you work together as a team, then you can achieve so much more."

The play is showing at the Beck Theatre in Hayes on Saturday January 21 and Sunday January 22.

To book your tickets, just click here .

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