A monster of a musical

Meet unicorns, dragons and aliens as a top-selling book by Tom Fletcher comes to the stage

When you hear the name Tom Fletcher, the first thing that comes to mind is probably chart-topping boyband Mcfly. However, in more recent years the singer - who has been performing on stage for more than two decades - has turned his hand to writing stories rather than songs.

The musician’s best-selling picture book There’s a Monster in Your Book, illustrated by Greg Abbott, has now been turned into an immersive family show.

The colourful production features puppet monsters, unicorns, dragons and aliens and is currently making its way around theatres all over the country, including three venues in Kent. “It’s been an amazing experience to see There's a Monster In Your Book come to life on stage and to get to meet the characters that I invented in my head,” says the BRIT Award winner. “It’s been incredible to be a part of developing the show and combining my love of writing books and stories with writing some of the songs for the show. “There's a Monster In Your Show really is the perfect first theatre trip for preschoolers and their families. Going to the theatre with kids can be stressful but this is a totally interactive show where children are not just allowed to shout, sing, clap and dance - it’s actively encouraged!”

The live version sees the book characters become animated with help from the performers behind shows like Hey Duggee and In The Night Garden. The 50-minute play is an interactive experience with original music by the chart-topping musician and plenty of chances for the audience to join in. Tom, who began his career on stage in the West End production of Oliver aged 10, started the pop rock band Mcfly with fellow guitarist Danny Jones in 2004.

The four-piece - which also includes bassist Dougie Poynter and drummer Harry Judd - have released several hit singles over the past 20 years, including All About You, Five Colours in Her Hair and Obviously.

In 2012, bandmates Tom and Dougie published their first children’s book, the Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas. Since then, the guitarist has written several of his own solo books, including The Christmasaurus and the Who’s In Your Book series, as well as the Eve of Man trilogy which he co-wrote with his wife and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher. There's a Monster In Your Show is at the Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells on Tuesday, April 23 and Wednesday, April 24. It’s then at the Gulbenkian, Canterbury on Wednesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 23 and the Granville Theatre, Ramsgate on Wednesday, November 13 and Thursday,

November 14.

Tom Fletcher and his pal Little Monster