HUNDREDS of years ago a huge and hairy giant crash landed on the Welsh border.

Now the story of Big George is crash landing in Malvern. Adaptated from the children's book Big George and the Winter King is the Malvern Theatre Players (MTP) post-Christmas show and it promises to be an energetic, lively treat for all the family.

Eric Pringle, the author of the original book, has adapted the show specially for the group and the music has been written by John Frith, previously musical director on MTP shows including Shake, Ripple and Roll and The Demon Headmaster.

It tells the story of Big George, a giant from another planet who lands in the village of Kingsell and joins colourful characters like Hew and Bess in a stuggle against the evil and tyrannical Sneck, a greedy sorcerer who intends to wreak havoc.

Director Sue Lupton said staging the play presented an interesting challenge.

She said: "Not only is there the technical issue of creating an extra-terrestrial friendly giant,there is also the challenge of combining a children's adventure story with energetic and emotive music."

Musical director John Frith called the journey from page to stage fascinating.

He said: "Writing the music was a real pleasure and I have tried to include references to the music of the late 14th century. For the rest, I have borrowed heavily from many different styles from rock ballad to Latin which I believe has brought colour and variety to this exciting story.

"I was pleased when Eric decided to develop a romantic attachment between two of the principal characters, Lord Griphook and his humble housekeeper Sybil, because this gave me the opportunity to compose two love songs which I especially enjoyed writing".

The humourous musical is at the Malvern Theatres from Thursday, January 11, to Sunday, January 21.

Tickets, priced £9, are available from the theatre box office on 01684 892277.