Rural Gloucestershire is being brought to urban Croydon this month in an adaptation of the popular novel Cider With Rosie, writes Andy Bloss.

The Everyman Theatre Cheltenham is staging a new version of Laurie Lee’s famous novel at Fairfield Halls later this month.

Lee’s story recounts the defining moments of his adolescent life. He talks about frozen winters, long hot summers, tyrannical teachers, family life and the first cider-fuelled encounter with Rosie.

The production features Susie Blake, who is well known for her TV appearances in Mrs Brown’s Boys, Wild At Heart and Coronation Street.

Director Paul Milton says: "It is a long time since there was a professional production of Laurie Lee’s Cider With Rosie.

"We’re putting that to rights this year with a brand new staging of this traditional gem. It’s Gloucestershire’s most famous book so it is important, I believe, that it gets produced by Gloucestershire’s most famous theatre."

He adds: "We are aiming to give the show a feeling of authenticity, as well as staging it in a dramatically exciting way."

Blake, who plays the role of Laurie Lee’s mother Annie Lee, says she is looking forward to performing at Croydon for the first time and encouraged people of all ages to watch the play.

She says: "The play is Lee’s memories of his childhood. I play Laurie Lee’s mum and she is a very interesting character to play.

"It is a lovely play, I think I remember my mum giving it to me to read when I was younger.

"The company is great and we have a really talented group, a lot of them are very young. I am one of the oldies.

She adds: "The stories are generally very gentle but it isn’t all airy fairy. There are a lot of different types are stories which will appeal to a variety of ages."

Cider With Rosie, Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, Tuesday April 16 to Saturday April 20, £7.50 to £18, call 02086889291 or visit Fairfield.co.uk.