David Walliams, hippos and the moon unite in play at Grand Opera House

Based on Walliams’s original children’s book with illustrations by Tony Ross, The First Hippo On The Moon is an explosively humorous space adventure wherein the enormously rich Hercules Waldorf-Franklin III and ingenious Sheila compete to be the first hippo to make it to the moon.

Adapted for the stage by Les Enfants Terribles and Les Petits Theatre Company artistic director Oliver Lansley, the show features puppets created by Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, who collaborated previously on War Horse and Dr Seuss’s The Lorax.

The cast will feature Dominic Allen, who in his university days and beyond made his mark in York with Belt Up Theatre and The Flanagan Collective and in York Theatre Royal's productions of Forty Years On and Peter Pan.

Here David Walliams discusses his book and the play.

Where did the idea for the book come from, David?

"I've always been fascinated with the space race of the 1960s and wanted to do a spoof on that. I like the idea of hippos going to the moon as they're the animals least likely to. It’s a very visual book, with amazing illustrations by Tony Ross, so it should be a very colourful stage production."

What drew you to working with Les Petits Theatre Company/Les Enfants Terribles for this project?

"I've loved their work for many years so jumped at the chance to work with them. I love great children’s theatre shows, especially now I'm a father, so I'm very excited to see this one. The book is full of humour and I know they are the perfect choice of theatre company to bring that out as their shows are so irreverent and funny. The best shows for children work for the grown-ups too, and I'm sure this one will."

The stage adaptation of your story Gangsta Granny played the Grand Opera House last September. How does it feel seeing your characters come to life in the theatre?

"I love seeing adaptations of my books and really enjoy the changes. I come from writing for television which is very collaborative and have always liked working with other people. Ultimately you feel like a magician when something that was in your head becomes real."

Author David Walliams

If families were to take one message away from The First Hippo On The Moon, what would it be?

"That whoever you are, you should dream big, just like Sheila the hippo. Plus if you work together as a team, then you can achieve so much more."

Are you inspired by any children’s writers at present? Which ones did you love reading as a child?

"There are so many great writers for children right now. My personal favourites are J K Rowling, Julia Donaldson, Dame Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Morpurgo. When I was a young child I loved Richard Scarry and Dr Seuss. My absolute hero is Roald Dahl. He's the greatest children’s writer of all time as he wrote so many brilliant books. I tend to be influenced by everything good I read, though it's pointless trying to copy anybody."

What advice would you give to a young writer inspired by seeing or reading The First Hippo On The Moon?

"I think it’s important you write a story you would like to read. If you like funny stories, write a funny story; if you like scary ones, write a scary one. You can never guess what it is people want to read, so it's best you write something for yourself. If other people like it, that’s a bonus."

If, like Sheila, you could build a hippo-po-rocket and go anywhere in space, where would it be and why?

"I would like to go to Mars. You can forget the books and the comedy shows; I feel I would definitely be remembered if I was the first person to go there!"

The First Hippo On The Moon will run at Grand Opera House, York, from February 7 to 9, and West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, April 5 to 8. Box office: York, 0844 871 3024 or at atgtickets.com/york; Leeds, 0113 213 7700 or wyp.org.uk. Suitable for children aged three and upwards.