Internationally bestselling author Michael Morpurgo is returning to the Barn Theatre in Cirencester as the special guest for the opening night performance of the stage adaptation of his beloved children's novel An Elephant in the Garden.

Following its OnComm nominated digital run earlier this year as part of the Barn At Home season, An Elephant in the Garden returns to the Barn Theatre for a limited two-week run from 31 August - 11 September.

Simon Reade's adaptation of the Michael Morpurgo children's novel follows Lizzie, her mother - and an elephant from the zoo in 1945 Dresden, Germany, as they flee the Allied fire-bombing in the endgame of the Second World War.

It is Lizzie's story - but Marlene, the elephant, is the heroine. Plodding, obdurate, opportunistic, load-bearing, indestructible, cheering - Marlene embodies the stubbornness of the human will and how it will do everything to survive.

The opening night performance, held on Tuesday, August 31, will consist of a 7.30pm performance of An Elephant in The Garden followed by a post-show question and answer session with Michael Morpurgo, actor Alison Reid and the production's adaptor and director Simon Reade.

Tickets for the production and special event range from £11.50 and are now available to purchase online or by calling the box office at 01285 648255 which is open from 10am - 1pm from Monday to Friday and 5:30pm - 7:00pm from Monday to Saturday.