MORE than 200 children - from Falmouth, Helston, Penryn, St Austell and other towns and villages in Cornwall have been taking to the stage at the Hall for Cornwall, in Truro.

The youngsters were participating in a series of practical workshops linked with Double Act - a new show based on the book of the same name by award-winning author Jacqueline Wilson.

In between performances by Polka Theatre, aspiring young actors and Cornish fans of Jacqueline Wilson seized the opportunity to act out scenes from the play and take part in a range of activities linked with the book and the show.

A number of the workshops - which were sponsored by Barclays - took place on the stage set used for the actual shows. The children also had several opportunities to work with the show's director, Vicky Ireland, who dramatised Double Act for the stage.

The hall's community development manager, Anna Combs, said: "The show provided a tremendous opportunity for us to develop a programme of activities for the Easter holidays.

"Double Act is one of the best-loved children's book of all time having won both the Smarties Book Prize and the Children's Book Award and was recently voted tenth in a BBC poll to find the Nation's Favourite Children Book, the only contemporary title in the top ten.

"Educational and community activities are a vital part of our work here at the Hall for Cornwall and the interest we have had in these workshops has been wonderful."

The three-in-one Double Act Day gave children aged eight and over a chance to illustrate a book cover, write part of a book and take part in a drama session based on Jacqueline Wilson's work.

Immediately afterwards, Meet The Director saw Vicky Ireland undergoing a grilling from an audience of around 100 children in a live, on-stage question-and-answer session.

Scene Stealer gave the youngsters a chance to discover what it is like being a professional actor. Participants had the chance to go through the rehearsal process with Vicky Ireland and act out a part of the play on the Double Act stage set.

From Story To Stage provided a practical masterclass in stagecraft for 14 to 18-year-olds, with Double Act director and dramatist Vicky Ireland going through the process of dramatising a popular book.

Anna said: "Jacqueline Wilson is one of the most popular children's authors of today and these workshops provided an ideal chance for children to engage in activities that will not only further inspire their creativity but give them a fascinating insight into the worlds of writing, illustration and the stage.

"We were also delighted to have Vicky Ireland taking part in our activities. She was able to help us give dozens of Cornish children a fantastic opportunity to see how a professional director works and what it's like working in professional theatre."

Education officer Becks Hazzard added: "Here at Hall for Cornwall, our aim isn't just to put on a year-round programme of the highest quality live entertainment for adults - it's equally important that we encourage quality theatre for children.

"Theatre is an inspiring and powerful way of making a difference to people's lives and workshops like these can exercise the creative side of everyone - as well as providing opportunities for a lot of fun."

Jacqueline Wilson has sold over 7,000,000 books in the UK alone and was voted fourth in the Treasure Islands Favourite Children's Author poll.

l Polka Theatre in Wimbledon, London, is Britain's only theatre venue producing and presenting work exclusively for children.