OLIVIER Award nominated West End hit Hetty Feather has opened in Southampton for Christmas.

Press and special guests will enjoy press night of the show, based on the book by best-selling children's author Jacqueline Wilson, at Nuffield Southampton Theatre's (NST) Campus tonight.

The show is an unmissable adventure story about feisty Hetty’s search for her real mother and a true family of her own, featuring beautiful storytelling, spectacular circus skills, original songs and live music.

On her audacious journey, Hetty faces the despicable Matron Stinking Bottomly; discovers the spectacles of the travelling circus; and braves the mean streets of Victorian London.

Katy Snelling, head of programming at NST, says, “Dark winter nights are the perfect time for stories and, when combined with families having time to spend together, it's no surprise that this often comes in the form of a trip to the theatre over the Christmas holidays.

“Hetty Feather incorporates circus skills, aerial work and fantastic live music to tell the tale of the abandoned tomboy determined to find her true mother. She's a plucky, brave and very cheeky protagonist and great fun to be around!”

Phoebe Thomas of Holby City fame will reprise her role from the UK tour and critically acclaimed run at Vaudeville Theatre.

The show is devised for the stage by award-winning script writer Emma Reeves (CBBC TV's Hetty Feather, The Story of Tracy Beaker, Eve) and critically acclaimed director Sally Cookson (Jane Eyre and Peter Pan, National Theatre).

For our review of the show, see Monday's Daily Echo and dailyecho.co.uk

Hetty Feather runs until January 7. Tickets are available from 023 8067 1771 or nstheatres.co.uk