A MUSICAL play for children that premiered at the Swan Theatre four decades ago is returning to Worcester for the first time.

Since The Owl and the Pussycat Went to See premiered in 1968 it has been staged at half-a-dozen London Christmas seasons, two nationwide tours and amateur productions.

David Wood was a new actor in Worcester when he commissioned to write plays for very young audiences by the Swan's then artistic director, John Hole.

The Owl and the Pussycat Went to See tells the story of the Owl and the Pussycat's quest to find a ring and someone to marry them.

The show is special to director Simon Atkins, who is head of drama at The King's School, Worcester. "I went to see the original production when I was four in 1968," he said. "There's a chance that David Wood will come down to see a performance. So we really want to get it right."

The play runs from Thursday, May 30, to Saturday, June 8, with performances at 7pm and matinees at 2.30pm on Saturdays and on the two Golden Jubilee bank holidays. Tickets £5 from the Swan box office on 01905 27322.

n Jumblies, left to right, Celinda Myatt, Kara March, Philip Arnold, Stephen Humphreys and Neil Waghorn. The owl is Michelle Whitford.

Picture by Keith Blackham. 211989d1