THEY aim to turn a theatre into a winter wonderland where children get to race on sledges, become spring flowers and help defeat a wicked queen.

Which child or indeed adult could resist a magical world of ice and snow created by an acclaimed Huddersfield based theatre company which specialises in creating enchanting theatre for and with children.

Tell Tale Hearts is based at the Lawrence Batley Theatre and is renowned for its work with young children.

It is stepping up a gear to stage its biggest ever show on the main stage at its home base in Huddersfield and has turned for inspiration to one of the best loved stories by Hans Christian Andersen, The Snow Queen.

“I’ve always been passionate about Hans Christian Andersen stories,” said Natasha Holmes, the company’s artistic director.

“They don’t patronise. They are really great stories for the adults reading them and for the children listening to them.”

“What engaged me as a challenge for us as a company is how to involve children.

“The idea is for the collective audience not to feel that this is a show they have spectated at but one they have participated in.”

And before the curtain rises on the show’s first night in Huddersfield on Monday (December 12) there has already been a lot of input from young children.

“We’ve worked with primary schools with one of the company’s artists to make some of decorative elements to help change the foyer and entrance of the theatre into the icy and magical world of the story,” said Natasha.

But children will also be able to join in the journey on stage where mischievous sprites will recreate the story of the friendship between Gerda and Kaj, transporting the audience from an icy landscape, through floral glades, palace towers, deep forests and gloomy caves to a glittering and shattering conclusion.

And yes, there will be a chance for some children to try out sledge rides. Natasha’s two children, Astrid, 5, and Otto, 3, have already been giving the sledges their expert attention.

“They’ve already had a go at the sledge ride. The sledge race is worked into the narrative of the show and it will be children from the audiences who will be getting involved.”

There is a cast of five and Natasha’s children have been called in to work with them too.

“We worked the actors very hard in audition. Part of it was to check their ability to improvise and to deal with the unexpected which is what you can get with children. They also have to be genuine in what they do.”

“I think children are the best moral authority. They really do know when something is not fair and not right,” said Natasha. “They do have a sense of natural justice.

“Children love theatricality but they need what they see to be genuine.”

As a theatre director, Natasha creates shows but also goes to see many others. And often, her children go too.

“It’s quite normal for my children to go to shows and festivals,” said Natasha.

“They already have a sophisticated idea of theatre. I quite often take them to see the shows and it is interesting to see what works for five plus.”

Natasha’s views not just on engaging but on involving children in productions is key to the success of Tell Tale Hearts,.

The company devises and creates visual theatre productions for primary children and younger years in schools, theatres and festivals. Their style is highly inventive combining quality design with performance, music and puppetry.

All of those lie at the heart of this new production of the Snow Queen which aims to bewitch children and adults alike and make them appreciate the magic of theatre.

“There are three points in the show where we shall bring children on to the stage,” said Natasha.

“The whole process of creating the piece has involved children. It is about participation.

“The Snow Queen is the first opportunity for the company to play on a larger stage – and the challenge for us is to keep the intimacy and participatory element that is at the heart of what we do,” said Natasha.

The show is being produced in conjunction with the Civic theatre in Barnsley as well as with the LBT and opens in South Yorkshire before moving to Huddersfield where it will run until December 24.

Box office is on 01484 430528.