Youngsters set to shine in fairytale with a difference

About 40 pupils aged between seven and nine will take part in the author’s classic reworking of the tale, taken from his Revolting Rhymes collection.

In Dahl’s version of events, the dwarfs appear as retired gambling-addicted jockeys who have lost all their money from their destructive lifestyles.

But when Snow White comes to work for them, they use her famous mirror to beat the bookies in a clever yet bizarre twist on the classic “Mirror, Mirror” question.

The play is being directed by the school’s assistant director of music, Anthea Shepherd, who said: “This is a really fun version of a great traditional tale. Even though the girls are relatively young, they have all tackled this with great enthusiasm.”

She also stressed the importance of school productions in helping children’s literacy and introducing them to new authors.

She said: “Of course many of the girls taking part have already heard of Roald Dahl and read him regularly, and I am sure that those who didn’t know about him, do now!”

Organisers are hoping for a packed house when the production opens for its only night on Wednesday next week.