Birmingham Stage Company's acclaimed production of James and the Giant Peach is set to make British theatre history.

The production has become so popular, it needs two theatres to cope with demand.

The show was due to end on Saturday, January 26, but the run at the Old Rep Theatre has been extended until Saturday, February 9.

The company has also made the unprecedented move of teaming up with the city's Alexandra Theatre, where the show will be staged from Tuesday, February 19 to Saturday, February 23.

The show will then embark on a 17-month tour of England, Wales, Scotland, northern and southern Ireland and the Channel Islands until July 2003.