A HIDDEN undercroft in an ancient medieval hall is to form the backdrop to a stage adaptation of a classic Gothic story.

The Theatre Mill is preparing to stage a production of Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous tale, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

The tale, written nearly 130 years ago, has been adapted for theatre by Yorkshire playwright Nick Lane and is to be performed in a hidden undercroft at the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall in York.

Producer and founder of the theatre company, Rebecca J Stafford said: “Presenting plays in the surroundings that the author perhaps had in mind as pen ran across paper gives audiences the perfect combination of play and place.”

Playwright Nick Lane said: “As a writer, working in this way gives audiences a great chance to see the play come to life in a really interesting and evocative space.

“What's exciting for me is that Theatre Mill are open to challenging the conventional theatre experience and offer something truly unique.

“The undercroft is certainly that, and it allies perfectly with the darkness of Stevenson's original text.”

Theatre Mill’s adaptation of Stevenson’s classic will run from February 26 to March 22.

Tickets are priced £20 to £25 and are available from the York Theatre Royal box office on; 01904-623568 or by visiting; www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk