Kiki's Delivery Service is Southwark Playhouse's Christmas Show

The world premiere of Kiki's Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono this Christmas.

The Southwark Playhouse in south London have announced that their Christmas 2016 production will be the world premiere of a brand new stage adaptation of bestselling children's book Kiki's Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono.

Adapted for the stage by Jessica Siân and directed by Kate Hewitt, the production runs from 8 December 2016 to 7 January 2017 with an official opening on 13 December 2016.

"Kiki is a 13 year old witch and, as tradition dictates, it is time for her to leave home and family to make a new life for herself. Equipped with her ability to fly and accompanied by Jiji, her faithful feline companion, she sets out to find a place where she can use her powers for the greater good and that one day she might call home."

Described as "a magical tale of growing up and finding acceptance", the production is suitable for ages 7 and up, and is intended to be a family friendly production.

This new staging is adapted from the award-winning book by Japanese author Eiko Kadono which has previously been adapted in to a live action film and an animation by Studio Ghibli. Kadono is an author of children's literature, picture books, non-fiction and essays. Her first successful children's book 'Ôdorabô Bula Bula shi' (The Robber Bla-Bla) was published in 1981. In 1985, she published 'Majo no Takkyūbin' (Kiki's Delivery Service), which was later adapted into the Hayao Miyazaki animated film with the same title.

Tickets for the production are now on sale.