Philip Pullman’s classic children’s novel I Was a Rat! is set to enthral audiences of all ages, as famed Italian company Teatro Kismet bring his gloriously dark and gripping story to life on the stage for the first time. This critically acclaimed production combines stunning visuals and live music and will come to the Liverpool Playhouse from Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 March.

Under the direction of Teatro Kismet’s Artistic Director Teresa Ludovico, the moving and darkly comic story of I Was a Rat! slowly reveals its connection to one of the most famous fairy tales of all time. Combining imaginative humour, fantasy and music – recorded by The Destroyers and played live by the company – as well as fantastic physical performances, this show is sure to surprise, delight and move audiences of all ages.

I Was a Rat! introduces the audience to Roger, a scruffy page boy who turns up one evening on the doorstep of old married couple Bob and Joan. “I was a rat!” he insists! But what is he now? A terrifying monster rampaging in the sewers? A money-spinning fairground freak? A champion wriggler and a downy card? Or just an ordinary boy, though a little ratty in his habits?

Pullman’s fantastical story has been adapted for the stage by Teatro Kismet who are from Bari, Southern Italy, and are best known in the U.K. for their thrilling visual and physical productions of Beauty and the Beast, The Mermaid Princess and The Snow Queen – a past collaboration with Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse.

Teatro Kismet’s Artistic Director Teresa Ludovico said,“I have wanted to bring one of Philip Pullman’s stories to the stage for some time because I find his work very close to my poetic style of theatre. It is a theatre style that strives to address both young and adult audiences.”

Leading the ensemble cast as Roger is young actor Fox Jackson-Keen, who made his professional stage debut aged 13 in the lead role of Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical.

Alongside him are Tyrone Huggins and Lorna Gayle. The versatile ensemble cast, taking on multiple roles, also includes Christopher Dingli, Joey Hickman, T.J. Holmes, Jack Jones and Dodger Phillips.

Tickets are priced between £12 and £20. Tickets are available from the Box office, by telephone on 0151 7094776 or online at www.everymanplayhouse.com.