Award Winning Book WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD Makes West End Debut

Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks' bestselling picture book What the Ladybird Heard makes its West End debut this summer. This glittering tale of two crafty robbers, one tiny ladybird and a whole farmyard of fun will open at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue on 5 July, running until 10 September, prior to a major UK tour in early 2018.

Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len have a cunning plan to steal The Farmer's fine prize cow. But they don't reckon on the tiniest, quietest creature of all: the Ladybird who has a plan of her own!

Join the woolly sheep, the hairy hog, the fat red hen and the dainty dog as they take on the villains in this musical stage adaptation of What the Ladybird Heard, Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks' colourful farmyard adventure, published by Macmillan Children's Books. With original songs and music, puppetry, plenty of audience participation and lots of laughs, this action-packed 55-minute production is the perfect treat for families with children aged three and up.

Julia Donaldson says of the show: "I love the songs, The Farmer's song at the beginning is wonderful and the lovely, lively acting set against Lydia's [Monks] farmyard is a joy".

The cast includes: Rosamund Hine (Farmer), Emma Carroll (Lily / Ladybird),

Edward Way (Hefty Hugh) and Matt Jopling (Lanky Len)

Director: Graham Hubbard

Set & Costume Design: Bek Palmer

Design Consultant: Lydia Monks

Lighting Design: Ric Mountjoy

Composers & Sound Design: Jon Fiber and Andy Shaw for JollyGoodTunes

For more information, visit www.whattheladybirdheardlive.co.uk.