Aliens are landing at Cambridge Arts Theatre this summer as a beloved children's picture book is adapted for the stage.

A star-crossed alien love story, The Smeds and The Smoos is based on the book by author and illustrator team Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, famous for The Gruffalo.

The Smeds and The Smoos tells the story of two rival groups of aliens living on a far-off planet: The Smeds (who are red) and The Smoos (who are blue).

The two groups mistrust each other, and their children are told to never play with one another.

Royston Crow: Robert Penny as Bill and Felicia Akin-Tayo as JanetRobert Penny as Bill and Felicia Akin-Tayo as Janet (Image: Mark Senior)

So when a young Smed and a Smoo fall in love and zoom into space together, how will their families get them back?

The play was adapted for the stage by Tall Stories, whose previous productions of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's books include The GruffaloThe Gruffalo's Child and The Snail and the Whale.

Beyond the Curtain described the production as "perfect family viewing", while The Scotsman praised the "catchy songs, good gags and interactive action".

Featuring music, laughs, puppetry and interplanetary adventures, the show is suitable for anyone age three and up.

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Writer Julia Donaldson said of the production: "I loved the show – the brilliantly alien set and lighting, the energetic acting and the wonderful puppets. My favourite was the Lurgle!"

Axel Scheffler added: "It was lovely to find out a lot more about the life of the Smeds and the Smoos and all the other life forms on their far away planets in this delightful play by the Tall Stories team. Space travel for the whole family – at its best!"

Performances will take place at the Cambridge Arts Theatre from Tuesday, June 20 to Saturday, June 24.

There will be a performance at 4.30pm on Tuesday, June 20, and on all other days performances will take place at 10.30am and 1pm - with an additional Saturday 4.30pm performance to be confirmed.

Tickets cost £16, and all ticket prices include a £3 ticket booking fee.

To book go to www.cambridgeartstheatre.com or call the box office on 01223 503333.