by Bonnie Collings
Warragul Youth Theatre will transport audiences into the pages of a classic Roald Dahl story when they perform "James and the Giant Peach" at the West Gippsland Arts Centre during the September school holidays.
Much like the beloved storybook, "James and the Giant Peach" follows the story of James Henry Trotter, a young boy who is orphaned when his parents are eaten by a rhinoceros and is sent to live with his cruel aunts, Spiker and Sponge. He dreams of a life away from his miserable aunts when he one day encounters an Old Woman who offers James a packet of magical "crocodile tongues".

The magic causes a peach, and other garden critters in James' backyard to grow to an enormous size. Late at night, he ventures into the peach, where he meets some new friends, and together, they roll the peach off a cliff and sail it across the Atlantic Ocean, bound for New York City
Director Flynn Francis said bringing the show to life on stage was a full circle moment, having loved the book and the movie during their childhood.
"Roald Dahl was my favourite childhood author and this was always my favourite story," Flynn said.
"The Tim Burton movie from the 90s was also one of my all-time favourite films. When I came across this script, I wanted to bring this story to life because it's so nostalgic to me."
Flynn said the plot of the stage show is very similar to the book.
"It really aligns closely with Roald Dahl's original story and it includes a lot of the original rhymes that he wrote into the book that don't feature in the film," they said.
"It does differ from the movie a bit, but I've brought lots of nods to the movie into the production itself, through the costume design and I've taken a lot of influence from the Tim Burton aesthetic to build into the show."
Flynn said the bringing all the production elements together for the show has been a "monumental effort".
"One of the big things I said to the whole team coming in was, I want to make the magic so pertinent and want the audience to witness that magic," Flynn said.
"We've had to make two versions (of the giant peach) to show the exterior and the interior. I don't want to give too much away, but the transition between those two is where I think the real magic kind of sits in your show, because you watch it come to life before your eyes in a way you weren't expecting."
Flynn said a highlight moment audiences could look forward to was when the giant peach is first revealed.
"From the start, that was the moment I wanted audiences to be blown away by and I think with how we've done it, you kind of get that (experience) twice in this show."
Stepping into a leading role for the first time, Mitchell Stewart said he was excited to portray James Henry Trotter.
"It's been a bit stressful, but it's been fun going through the roller coaster," he said.
To help develop his character, Mitchell said he spent a lot of time thinking.
"I've thought a lot, way too much like before I go to bed," he said.
"We've put in a lot of effort and I think it's a really cool show to come see. It's one of my favourite books. I think it's really cool to have a nice moved and a book brought to life on stage."
Sophia Phillips will portray the Earthworm, a role she said is quiet different to what she has done previously.
"This is completely different to what I've done in the past," Sophia said. "The last show I was involved with, I was a very strong female character and I even had a sword fight. This is completely different and I've loved stepping into a really new role in a different environment."
Sophia said a highlight scene audiences can look forward to is a physical comedy scene where her character is used "as bait".
"One of my favourite moments with my character is when they are being pushed out and then pulled back into the peach," she said.
Warragul Youth Theatre will perform six shows of "James and the Giant Peach" at the West Gippsland Arts Centre between Tuesday September 30 and Friday October 3.
Tickets are available to purchase at sales.wgac.com.au and are selling fast.