The First Hippo on The Moon, based on David Walliams’ best-selling children’s book, explodes onto the stage of Theatre Royal Winchester from Thursday to Sunday.

It’s a brilliantly funny space adventure for younger children in which two hippos compete to be the first to land on the moon. The show, which runs into the first weekend of half term, features puppetry, music, mayhem… and the voice of David Walliams.

Walliams’ original book with illustrations by Tony Ross has been adapted for the stage by acclaimed theatre company Les Petits and follows their successful production of Captain Flinn And The Pirate Dinosaurs. The puppets have been created by Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell who previously collaborated on War Horse.

David Walliams, who achieved fame as the star of Little Britain and is a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, is a hugely successful children’s author. He has sold nearly 10 million copies of his books in the UK alone. They include Gangsta Granny, Grandpa’s Great Escape and Awful Auntie.

Tickets from theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk or 01962 840 440.