THE Cotswold Players are preparing for their January production at The Cotswold Playhouse in Stroud of Roald Dahl's classic book The Witches.

Roald Dahl's book has been adapted for the stage by David Wood, but is true to the original and is a treat for the whole family, adults as well.

The play tells the story of real witches who disguise themselves as lovely ladies, when secretly they want to squish and squelch all the wretched children they despise.

The Grand High Witch of All the World is the worst of them all - and now she has gathered together all the witches of England for an annual conference at the Hotel Magnificent in Bournemouth to plot to eliminate all children.

Luckily, one boy and his grandmother know how to recognise these vile creatures, and have a plan to get rid of them for good.

Roald Dahl's writing is inseparable from the illustrations of Quentin Blake and in tribute to this partnership, the Cotswold Players have sought a collaboration with local illustrator, Tracy Spiers, ahead of this production.

Tracy, also a journalist, has provided illustrations for both the production poster and the principal set-design.

Director, Rob Mauler said: " I knew from the outset that I wanted the production to be scary – as a child I remember the things that scared me. Things like the Daleks and 1980's TV Witch, Grotbags, but I wanted children to feel safe and what better way than to set the show within illustrations. In Tracy, we have found a superstar illustrator, who's drawings match our production perfectly".

  •  The Cotswold Players will present The Witches at The Cotswold Playhouse, Parliament Street, Stroud on January 20 at 7.30pm, January 21 at 3pm and 6pm, January 22 at 3pm, January 27 at 7.30pm and January 28 at 3pm and 7.30pm.
  • Tickets £10 for adults and £5 for under 16s are available online at cotswoldplayhouse.co.uk/tickets or by calling 0333 666 3366.