ARE you suffering from a Christmas excess of pantomime dames, silly slapstick and thigh-slapping principal boys?

If so, before you return to your school or office desk, Stagecoach Youth Theatre York hopes to tempt you to partake of something seasonal but different: a children's classic adapted for the stage.

Frances Hodgson Burnett's enduring children's story A Little Princess will be presented next week at Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York.

Set in Edwardian England, it traces the fortunes of little Sara Crewe and her adventurous journey from riches to rags and back again under the heartless care of Miss Minchin at her Seminary for the Education of the Girls of Gentlemen.

This full-length musical version was written for Stagecoach seven years ago and now it is being re-directed by two members of the original company, Kate Moores and Annie Ormond.

"A Little Princess is a particularly good choice for a Christmas holiday production" says Kate. "The casting brings together members of all ages, and the musical has a universal appeal for audiences from eight to 80 years old," adds Annie.

She and Kate have worked "hand in glove" for four months on the show, putting the 20 girls who make up the Minchin's School pupils through their paces for the fast-moving musical numbers.

As with all the roles in the play, the leading character of Sara Crewe is double cast with Amy Warnock, ten, and Lucy Chivers, 12, dividing the performances between them.

Amy says A Little Princess is one of her favourite books: "It drew me into the plight of the characters and the huge difference between rich and poor. The ill treatment and bad environment suffered by poor children shocked me but the story proves that true friendship can help you get through anything."

Lucy, her stage double, reckons that rehearsals have been hard work but great fun.

"Sara is my biggest part with Stagecoach so far and I'm really enjoying the challenge," she says. "I like working in a team and can't wait for the opening night."

A Little Princess runs at the Rowntree Theatre from January 9-11 at 7.30pm nightly plus a 2.30pm Saturday matinee. Tickets: £6, concessions £4, available from York Theatre Royal box office, tel 01904 623568.

Updated: 10:20 Friday, January 03, 2003