From the tyrannical Miss Trunchbull to the gravity-defying Elphaba, whether it’s a swash-buckling adventure on the high seas, a Grimm fairytale made flesh or a wartime tale of friendship against the odds, literature has played a huge part in inspiring some of our best-loved theatrical characters. To celebrate World Book Day, we’ve pulled together a list of some of our favourites from our forthcoming season of shows…

Hansel and Gretel Deliciously dark, choc-full of enchantment and brimming with unexpected twists and turns, Hansel and Gretel has all the ingredients that make up a classic Grimm fairytale. But how much do you really know about the story of Hansel and Gretel? In this brand new stage adaptation by Birmingham Hippoodrome and Open Theatre Company, a flustered storyteller is joined by a mischievous mocking bird as he follows Hansel and Gretel deep into the forest. All is not what it seems, as the characters start to tell their own version of this peculiar adventure featuring some rather surprising characters including an eccentric chef and one delightful duck!

Wicked An ingenious and witty re-imagining of the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, Wicked tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two young women who first meet as sorcery students. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. Winner of over 100 international awards, Wicked has been casting its magical spell across the world for over a decade and continues to break records at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it is already the 15th longest running show in West End theatre history.

Motionhouse’s CHARGE: You know what they say – sometimes truth is stranger than fiction! And that’s certainly true of the research which inspired MOTIONHOUSE’s electrifying new dance-circus work, Charge, which explores the relationship between electricity and the human body. To create the work, Director Kevin Finnan worked with Professor Frances Ashcroft and her team at the University of Oxford to delve deeper into the science behind the human body. Ashcroft published ‘The Spark of Life’ about electricity in the human body and is recognised for her outstanding contributions to the public’s awareness of science. Finnan’s Charge also explores the historical understanding of the role of electricity in the body, using Galvani’s experimentation with frogs to the popular interest in electricity that resulted in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, this year celebrating its 200th anniversary. “In Mary Shelley’s book Frankenstein, it’s not about mad scientists, it’s this idea that electrical energy is within us. With the information they had at the time the idea that if biological elements were arranged and given energy it could create a life force was an interesting concept.” (Kevin Finnan)

Matilda The Musical When it comes to pint-sized heroines with intellectual muscle, they don’t come much bigger than Matilda. Based on the classic children’s novel by the incomparable Roald Dahl, the multi award-winning musical tells the story of a little girl with a large appetite for reading who, after overcoming obstacles at home and school, finds herself in possession of a miraculous gift that could change her life forever. Winner of over 85 international awards, including 16 for Best Musical, Matilda The Musical features book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin.

War Horse At the outbreak of World War One, Joey, young Albert’s beloved horse, is sold to the Cavalry and shipped to France. He’s soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary journey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man’s land. Albert, who remained on his parents’ Devon farm, cannot forget Joey. Though still not old enough to enlist he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home. Based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, the stage adaptation of War Horse broke new ground with its astonishing re-imagining of Joey, brought vividly to life here by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company.

WNO – War and Peace An undisputed masterpiece of 19th Century literature, War and Peace is truly worthy of its epic status and David Pountney’s new operatic production, arriving here in November, promises to be every bit as ambitious as the novel that inspired it. Based on Leo Tolstoy’s novel, the narrative of War and Peace follows the tribulations of Russian society as Napoleon edges closer to the country’s borders. The spirited Natasha and her betrothed Andrei find their young love is challenged by temptation, while Pierre, an idealistic nobleman, wants to change Russian life for the better. As their fates intertwine during the 1812 invasion they find their stories unfold during a time when Russian lives would change forever. Featuring huge set, stirring score by Prokofiev, video projections and stunning costumes by Marie-Jeanne Lecca which together portray the grandeur and opulence of Russian society in the 1800s, WNO’s War and Peace visits Birmingham in the Autumn as part of a thrilling new season.

Peter Pan There are some stories that never grow old! And J.M Barrie’s Peter Pan is most definitely one of them.  Telling the story of a free-spirited young boy who never grows up, the magical world of Neverland, Captain Hook and The Lost Boys has inspired generations of writers across the years. And this year, panto audiences can experience this swashbuckling adventure brought to life in style by returning favourite Matt Slack – who takes up the role of Smee – plus an all-star cast soon to be confirmed. So hoist the anchor me hearties and get ready for a pantomime you’ll never forget!