When 10-year-old Katy Secombe couldn't sleep one night, her father, Sir Harry, wrote her a story.

Now, 32 years later, Katy's Pandora Box theatre company have turned that story, Katy and the Nurgla, into a play that they are bringing to Croydon Clocktower on Saturday.

"He told it to me one night in Majorca when I couldn't sleep," explains Katy, who is currently starring in Mamma Mia in the West End.

"It was set in the cove next to our house, which is still there today.

"I always wanted to do it as a play as it is such a good story for kids.

"When we founded Pandora's Box in 1999 we started off doing stuff that was more suited to the curriculum, like Burglar Bill, but I really wanted to do Katy and The Nurgla.

"The book has been out of print for a while now but the story is still good so I am on a mission of sorts to get it republished.

"There's a sequel as well which we will probably put on at some point and maybe perform the two stories back to back."

Two actors perform the whole play, with Pandora's Box using a combination of music, puppetry, comedy and magic to bring the tale to the stage.

"It tells the story of a little girl who goes on holiday and meets a sea monster," says Katy.

"There is a story of friendship and love and also the message that you should never be frightened of bullies as the sea monster is quite loud and nasty to begin with.

"It's a simple story well told and that's why I wanted to adapt it for Pandora's Box.

"I did that two or three years ago and we have been touring it ever since."

Katy and The Nurgla, Croydon Clocktower, Katharine Street, February 27, 11am and 2.30pm, £6. Call 020 8253 1030 or visit croydonclocktower.org.uk.

Competition

The Clocktower is now doing two shows on Saturdays for children over the age four at 11am and 2.30pm.

To win four tickets to see Lyngo’s Tom Thumb on Saturday, March 6, e-mail ian.whitaker@croydon.gov.uk your answer to the following question by Tuesday, March 2.

Which CBeebies programme does Lyngo’s Patrick Lynch present?

Remember to include your contact details and which time you’d like your tickets for.