JACQUELINE Wilson has four titles in the BBC's Top 100 Books list, her popularity prompting Watershed Production and Polka Theatre to transfer Double Act from page to stage.

This evening at 7.30pm and tomorrow at 11am, 3pm and 7pm, Wilson's story of identical twins will be staged at the Grand Opera House, York.

Twins Ruby and Garnet, one noisy and confident, the other quiet and shy, must start a new life in the country with dad and his new girlfriend, frizzy, dizzy Rose.

One of the four books on the BBC list, Double Act has been adapted by Vicky Ireland, the recipient of an MBE in The Queen's Jubilee Birthday Honours List for Services to Drama for Children.

That was the first award of its kind, testament to her work as artistic director of Polka Theatre from 1988 to last year.

"It's good to give children what they want in a theatre show and Double Act is really good for eight to 13 year olds," says Vicky. "Children love Jacqueline's writing, and I felt that if we were going to do a book adaptation, we should at least do one they were passionate about, and Jacqueline really does strike a chord with them.

"She has this humour about her and she also taps into very deep emotions but handles them in a deft and light manner - and she does that in such a way that children don't feel they are being preached at."

Vicky points to another strength of Wilson's writing: "She knows about clothes and young fashion, and she's up to date with the issues that affect children - sometimes things that would seem trifling to adults, such as changing schools or feeling that no one likes you, but that is all part of that age group."

Tickets cost £9 on 01904 671818.

Updated: 11:10 Friday, July 11, 2003