Published at 13:41, Thursday, 05 July 2012

ICONIC book Black Beauty is brought to life in an open-air production at Holker Hall.

This is the first time that the hugely popular Anna Sewell novel, which has sold over 50 million copies worldwide, has ever been adapted for the stage.

Produced by award-winning BBC Playwright Susannah Daley and Peel Heritage, the story has been carefully adapted by James Stone in order to bring to life the story of one of the world’s most famous fictional horses.

This unique two-hour production applies the technology and craft of modern theatre, while retaining the essential spirit of the original novel. The stage set has been carefully designed to incorporate the stunning backdrops and surroundings of the historical venue of Holker Hall. Narrated by Black Beauty, the play covers his idyllic early life, through to his darkest days as a brutally treated London cab horse and his experiences working in the mines. Along the way he meets many equine friends from very different backgrounds who each tell their own poignant stories about life as a working horse in Victorian times, before he is eventually happily reunited with Flora. There will be two performances at Holker Hall next Saturday, July 14, at 2pm and 7pm, with a theatre workshop an hour before each show. Tickets can be booked by phoning the Holker Hall box office.

l THE Evening Mail has a family ticket for Black Beauty to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is answer the question opposite.

Send your answer using the form opposite to Black Beauty Competition, c/o Karl Steel, Features Desk, Evening Mail, Abbey Road, Barrow, Cumbria, LA14 5QS. The closing date for entries is Wednesday July 11. Usual Evening Mail rules apply.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk