The new director of a Norwich theatre is celebrating her role as rehearsals for the Christmas production get under way.

Joy Haynes has started her first week as director of Norwich Puppet Theatre on Monday, the same day as the cast started rehearsing for the Christmas production Red Riding Hood.

Miss Haynes has been working for the theatre since September but started her new full-time position on Monday.

She joins the organisation having previously run her own touring puppetry business for 18 years.

Miss Haynes said: 'This job is very exciting, I feel ready for it. I have had a long association with the theatre, I was here 20 years ago when I was a young puppeteer.

'I want to create a centre for the development of puppetry. In the future I would like to show films and animation.'

Director and designer of the show, Peter O'Rourke said the fairytale will go back to its roots and have a different ending to the familiar Brother's Grimm story and will have an unexpected twist at the end.

Mr O'Rourke said the performance would be more connected to the original Red Riding Hood story which was passed down through word of mouth in the 1400s where Riding Hood was saved by two washerwomen who managed to outsmart the wolf.

He said: 'I hope people will expect a good show. We have some nice songs and a witty script.

'There are two puppeteers and about 18 or 19 puppets.'

Red Riding Hood will be shown to the public from December 17-31. To book tickets, call 01603 615564 or email info@puppettheatre.co.uk

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