A POPULAR children’s story which has sat on family bookshelves for more than 35 years is set to come alive on stage in Basingstoke this April.

The best-selling classic book, Dear Zoo, has been adapted for the stage for the very first time, having brought joy to generations of young children since it was first published in 1982 and sold more than eight million copies worldwide.

The tour has more than 70 dates around the UK, including at The Haymarket in Basingstoke on April 28 and 29.

Author of Dear Zoo, Rod Campbell, said he is “absolutely delighted” that his book is being brought to life on stage.

The story, published by Macmillan Children’s Books, tells of a child who writes to the zoo asking them to send a pet.

It has continued to delight each new generation of children as they lift the flaps in search of the perfect animal.

The stage adaption, produced by Norwell Lapley Productions and directed by Michael Gattrell, is suitable for children aged two to six, with engaging puppets, original music and lots of audience interaction.

Commenting on Dear Zoo Live on Stage, Mr Campbell said: “I can hardly believe that Dear Zoo is celebrating its 35th anniversary. I really am enormously touched and delighted that successive generations of young children continue to love Dear Zoo – their obvious pleasure when interacting with it is so gratifying to see, and for me is the very gratifying to see, and for me is the very greatest of compliments.”

The 72-year-old found the process of writing a play and transferring his story to stage a challenge, at times.

But the author and illustrator emerged from the process with a tremendous sense of pleasure at having mastered an entirely new skill, declaring: “It’s been a wonderful experience.

“I have really enjoyed solving problems, and it’s been a great delight to learn something new. I’ve learned a whole new language, including phrases as simple as ‘upstage’ and ‘downstage’. When I wrote, ‘exit stage left’, a frisson ran down my spine!”

Above all, in creating the play, Rod was anxious to remain as faithful as possible to the essence of his widely adored book. To that end, Dear Zoo Live on Stage elicits the same excitement as the book.

The author explains that: “The stage show will play on the thrill of opening the crates.”

“Children up to the age of six love the animals and they also love the guesswork – ‘What’s in the box’?”

It is that curiosity, Rod believes, which has ensured that the book has remained so popular. “Children have a great curiosity about what’s behind the flap. They love to open the flaps again and again.

“Of course, they know what’s behind each one, but every time they approach it as though they don’t. For every child each time is like the first time. The pay-off in the play is that inside each crate is an animal that speaks.”

Mr Campbell is hopeful that audiences will leave the theatre having had a very happy experience at Dear Zoo Live on Stage and that the show will bring many children into the theatre for the first time.

Visit www.dearzooandfriends.com/dear-zoo-live.

The Gazette has teamed up with organisers to giveaway a family ticket to the first performance on Saturday, 28 April at 1pm.

For a chance of winning answer the question ‘When was Dear Zoo first published?’Was it A) 1992 B) 1972 or C) 1982.

Send your answer to tim. birkbeck@basingstokegazette.co.uk by April 1 along with your name, address and telephone number.

Normal Newsquest rules apply – please visit the website basingstokegazette.co.uk for details.