Puppetry, stilt-walking and magic tricks will transform the story of Pinocchio into a circus-style show, complete with spectacular song-and-dance numbers, at The Priestley next month.

The show is produced by Emmerdale actor Daniel Coll and stars Liam Mower, who has played Billy Elliot in the West End musical based on the hit film.

Daniel, who plays Geppetto in Pinocchio, has part-written the show, based on the original story.

"I didn't want to play around with it too much because it's such a well-loved story," he says. "I'd forgotten how violent it is though! In one part Pinocchio falls asleep by the fire and his feet burn off! We haven't included that as it wouldn't be easy to recreate on stage, and it might be a bit much for younger audiences.

"We've tried to achieve a balance between sticking closely to the book and giving it a modern feel. The show is aimed at ages two or three upwards, but teenagers will have fun watching it too.

"We've gone for a medieval circus' feel; we've got stilt-walkers, magic, West End singers and puppets operated by Huddersfield puppeteer Steve Wright. Each cast member plays several characters."

Daniel's wife, Sinead, who is in singing group Celtic Sirens, plays Pinocchio's pal Jiminy Cricket and she has also written the script and music.

"Sinead writes songs that really appeal to children, all the songs for this show have been specially written," says Daniel, of Brighouse. "Parts of the story require special effects and we make great use of lighting and back projection. You'll have to come along to see how we manage things like making Pinocchio's nose grow and creating the underwater whale scene."

If the production is a success Daniel plans to put on another family show next year. "We've kept the tickets affordable so families can come and see this as well as the Alhambra pantomime," he says. "The Priestley is a beautiful theatre that has a great semi-professional balance. It's a perfect venue for this show."

Daniel says Pinocchio has a timeless appeal for children, not least because the little wooden boy is flawed. "I remember my mum reading the story to me as a child and now I've got a four-year-old who has fallen in love with Pinocchio because he's so naughty," he says. "It's a moral tale about a boy who triumphs over adversity."

Not unlike Billy Elliot. Daniel played Billy's father in the West End show, alternating performances with actor Tim Healy.

"I loved that role. I remember the miners' strike so it was particularly poignant," says Daniel. "Billy's dad chooses his son over his lifelong principles, it's incredibly powerful. The story is about having a choice over your destiny. Over recent years it's become more cool for boys to be dancers but 20 years ago that wasn't the case, especially if, like Billy, you were growing up in a family of boxers in the North East.

"Stephen Daldry, who directed the film, also directed the show and he was a real perfectionist. It was a wonderful show to be part of and I'm delighted that Liam, who won an Olivier award for his role as Billy, is going to be our Pinocchio. He's a fantastic talent - he can do ballet, jazz, tap and hip-hop - there are different dance styles in the show to suit his talents."

Daniel is a familiar face to Emmerdale viewers as DS Frank Blackmore. He was recently involved in the Sugdens' fire case, and this autumn Blackmore is investigating the mysterious disappearance of Rosemary King.

The Halifax-born actor took an unlikely route into drama, via the Army. "I went into the Army at 16 straight from school," says Daniel. "I came out the day before I had to decide whether to take it any further - otherwise I'd have been signed up for the next five years. I joined the Halifax Thespians and decided that was what I wanted to do, so I went to drama school."

Last year Daniel and his brother Stuart Wade, who played Biff in Emmerdale, organised a fundraising gala for the family of murdered Bradford police officer PC Sharon Beshenivsky "It was a great success. We'd like to organise another variety show for charity, it's just a case of putting it all together," says Daniel. "People love variety and seeing stars from TV doing something unexpected."

Pinocchio runs at The Priestley, Little Germany, from December 17 to 30. For tickets ring 0870 0600100 or (01274) 820666. For more information visit www.

pinocchiomusical.co.uk