Photo Flash: First Look at York Theatre Royal's SWALLOWS & AMAZONS

Following last year's smash hit production of The Secret Garden, York Theatre Royal takes a fresh look at another children's classic in this summer's family show, Arthur Ransome's Swallows & Amazons, from 26 July to 24 August.

Damian Cruden, in his final production after 22 years as York Theatre Royal's Artistic Director, co-directs the production with Artistic Associate John R. Wilkinson.

"I'm looking forward to working on this script with a talented group of artists, that my last show for YTR is for families seems appropriate," says Damian, whose past family shows for York Theatre include The Railway Children, The Wind in the Willows and Peter Pan.

The story tells of the Walker and Blackett children's adventurous school holiday in the Lake District as they set sail for adventure. The Swallows - John, Susan, Titty and Roger - sail to Wildcat Island and meet Nancy and Peggy, the self-proclaimed Amazon Pirates, and the dastardly Captain Flint.

Ransome's story has been adapted for the stage by Helen Edmundson whose other literary adaptations include Anna Karenina, Mill On the Floss, War and Peace, Coram Boy and Therese Raquin.

The production features music by Neil Hannon, from The Divine Comedy. His original demos for Swallows & Amazons are being released for the first time on the limited edition deluxe CD of The Divine Comedy's new album Office Politics.

The production continues until 24 August. Box office yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Hanna Khogali as Titty
Kieran Buckeridge sets sail as Captain Flint
Rachel Hammond and Anne-Marie Piazza as Amazon pirates Peggy and Nancy
The cast of Swallows & Amazons
William Pennington and the cast
William Pennington PHOTOS BY ANTHONY ROBLING