THE stage adaptation of Alan Bennett's film A Private Function will be staged at the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight next month.

West Kirby Musical Theatre Company (WKMTC)'s production of Betty Blue Eyes is at the venue from Thursday, November 2 to Saturday, November 4.

Described as a 'wonderfully entertaining, incredibly funny musical comedy', it is based on the 1984 Alan Bennett film A Private Function, which starred Michael Palin and Dame Maggie Smith as a Yorkshire couple struggling to make ends meet just after the war.

It is 1947, war has ended but people are still suffering under the burden of food rationing, high unemployment, and the coldest winter for decades.

The only bright spark on the horizon is the impending marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Enter Betty, an adorable pig who is being illegally reared to ensure local dignitaries can celebrate the Royal Wedding with a lavish banquet whilst the local population have to make do with Spam.

The show is directed by Sharon Henderson, with musical direction by Rob Bowness and choreography by Deborah Clarke.

A spokesperson for the WKMTC said: "Brilliantly adapted for the stage with a deliciously infectious, toe-tapping score, the result is an unforgettable musical, full of beautiful melodies, witty lyrics, lots of dance routines, eccentric characters, and of course, the star of the show, Betty the pig!

"Betty Blue Eyes premiered in the West End in 2011, with actress Sarah Lancashire playing the social climbing housewife Joyce Chilvers.

Wirral Globe: Poster for the productionPoster for the production (Image: WKMTC)"It received nominations for ‘Best New Musical’ in the Laurence Olivier Awards, The Evening Standard Awards and the WhatsOnStage.com Awards. It also had a 3 week run at the Liverpool Playhouse in 2014.

"West Kirby Musical Theatre Company (WKMTC) is thrilled to be staging this feel-good musical at the Gladstone Theatre Port Sunlight."

The show, produced by WKMTC in partnership with the Wallasey School of Ballet, promises to be 'Irreverent, cheeky, brilliantly timed and fantastic fun for all the family' but is most suitable for children aged 11 years and upwards.

Evening performances start at 7.30pm with the Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

Tickets are from the Gladstone Theatre Box Office