ONCE upon a time there was a beautiful girl called Snow White, whose wicked stepmother wanted her dead.

This Snow White is not the stuff of fairytales, however – she is a clone on the run from her scientist “evil stepmother”, touring the country with a performing family of dwarves – and one of the stars of Whiter Than Snow.

Created by York playwright Mike Kenny, and running at the West Yorkshire Playhouse between March 24 and 28, Whiter Than Snow is a modern take on Snow White, which sets out to explore the questions that science can’t answer, those it strays away from and that we are afraid to face up to.

“I was originally commissioned to write a play about science, but I’m not really a science man,” says Mike, sipping a cappuccino in York Theatre Royal’s café bar.

Inspiration came from articles about a national shortage of dwarves for productions of Snow White and the criteria for aborting disabled foetuses.

He called friend Jenny Sealey, artistic director of Britain’s leading disability theatre company Graeae, and wrote Whiter Than Snow; the story of the Frantz family, a touring company of three actors during war time whose usual Snow White has run away with her prince.

A beautiful new Snow White arrives, but she is also on the run, cloned by her scientist stepmother in search of the most beautiful, most intelligent daughter of all.

Beyond the fairytale, they fight to survive in a world of exploitation.

Whiter Than Snow is a play within a play, performed by a cast of disabled actors and a sign language interpreter.

“It is a very, very funny play – I think it is the funniest I’ve done,” says Mike.

“Humour is essential and serious things can often provoke a lot of humour and a lot of fun.

“It’s turned out to be quite scientific in the end but quite provocative in science terms because it can be quite critical of the areas science tends to ignore.

“The ethical issues are absolutely riveting.”

Although Mike, whose recent works have included stage adaptations of The Snow Queen, The Railway Children and Beauty And The Beast, says he writes serious plays, they are not serious experiences.

This one is chaotic, anarchic and a lot of fun.

“The company is excellent and it’s great, I love it and I would encourage every one to come and see it. Although I write for children I think it’s a family show for everybody.”

•Whiter Than Snow, March 24 – 28, Tickets £10 - £15, family ticket £40. Box Office 0113 213 7700. Suitable for children aged seven and over.