MICHAEL Morpurgo’s novel for young people Running Wild will be brought to the stage of the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

The Leeds theatre hosts the Children’s Touring Partnership production from April 11 to 15.

The novel, based on a true story, is brought to life in a production described by critics as inspiring, evocative, imaginative and life-affirming.

The epic production features life-size puppets, and tells an emotional and moving story of love, loss and loyalty, and of living for the moment.

A girl named Lilly, whilst on holiday with her mother in Indonesia, takes an elephant ride.

During the ride, Oona, the elephant, suddenly becomes anxious and runs from the beach deep into the jungle.

With Lilly on her back, they escape moments before the tsunami hits the island.

Miles from civilisation, at first there’s wonder, discovery and tree-top adventures with the orangutans, but, as thoughts turn to her mother left behind on the beach, wild tigers prowl and hunger hits, Lilly must now learn to survive the rainforest.

Then the hunters come…

Michael Morpurgo, the former children’s laureate and author of War Horse, was inspired by the real-life story of Amber Owen, who was on holiday in Phuket with her mother and stepfather in 2004 and she went on an elephant ride before the tsunami hit.

While riding Ning Nong along the beach, the eight-year-old noticed the elephant was attempting to pull away from the receding sea water.

The show is aimed at children aged six and above.

Visit wyp.org.uk or call 0113 2137700 to book tickets.