EVERY dog has its play. To prove it, the most famous beagle in the world is coming to town on St Valentine's Day in an all-American musical "close to everyone's heart".

Snoopy is the latest offering from the prolific Stagecoach Youth Theatre York, whose production at Joseph Rowntree Theatre in York features many cast members from last year's sell-out run of Honk!

Where Honk! was a modern variation on Hans Christian Andersen's The Ugly Duckling, Snoopy's origins lie in an American comic strip. The beagle first appeared in the Peanuts strips of the 1930s created by Charles M Schulz and, 70 years later, he is still going strong with his family and friends.

The stage show features all the characters who grew up in the backyard of the cartoon king of canines: the master of the mutt, Charlie Brown; sister Sally and friends Peppermint Patty and loudmouthed Lucy; Linus and his security blanket; Schroeder, Pigpen and the yellow-feathered Woodstock.

Stagecoach's half-term show runs at the Rowntree Theatre from February 14 to 16 at 7.30pm nightly plus a 2.30pm Saturday matinee. Tickets are "selling fast" at £6, concessions £4, with party rates available too, at the York Theatre Royal box office, tel 01904 623568.

Updated: 09:14 Friday, February 01, 2002