As we get further into a digital age, with shortening attention spans, have you had to evolve storytelling to keep it more relatable, relevant and attention grabbing?

Quite honestly, I haven’t noticed much difference in the reactions of children to theatre performances. And I have been doing it for 50 years. The secret is, of course, to involve the children and not to bore them.

How does theatre beat film as a mode of storytelling?

A live theatre experience always has more immediacy and a sense of anticipation than something on a screen.

What were the challenges of putting together this play?

My job as adaptor is to tell the story, but I must also think about how the play will be staged. With George’s Marvellous Medicine I felt I needed to add a bit of ‘back story’, to show how Grandmother comes to live with the family. So my play starts earlier than the book. I set several challenges for the director and the designer, plus puppetry and magical challenges, all of which have been met extremely well, I believe, in this production.

What’s next for you?

I am working on The Tiger Who Came To Tea again, directing it for Christmas.

I have a new adaptation ready, based on Michelle Magorian’s book Back Home. I hope very much this will get a production soon.