Immerse yourself in Sell A Door Theatre Company’s latest adaptation of a classic children’s story.

Newham Recorder: Kidnapped at Hackney EmpireKidnapped at Hackney Empire (Image: www.flickr.com/tgkw)

The play is based on the 1886 novel Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson and is showing at the Hackney Empire, Mare Street, Dalston, from May 8-10.

Kidnapped follows the journey of Davie Balfour, who survives a shipwreck, escapes murder and manages to leave the Scottish highlands in one piece.

The adventure is set in 1750s Scotland at a time of political uncertainty with the country opting to create a union with England.

Lead actor Stewart McCheyne said: “We have made it a lot more exciting and it’s exhausting [to play].

“It’s a play with a journey and the guy goes through a lot.”

The show features swordfighting, music, puppetry and a stunning set.

A company of five actors use various media to transform themselves and their surroundings into a multitude of characters and settings.

McCheyne says honour and loyalty are strong themes in the production.

He moved from Scotland to London to pursue acting and worked as the Hackney Empire’s bar manager.

“I am from the same part of the world where a lot of the story is set, so I was very excited when I saw it come up. People always comment on the physical stuff like the set, but it’s a really important part of our history that gets looked over,” he added.

The production is aimed at children aged six and over. Tickets cost between £10 and £20 with discounted prices available for schools. For more details call 020 8985 2424.