POOR Zoe. Her hamster has died and her lazy stepmother, Sheila, doesn’t care. In fact, she is so lazy that she wants Zoe to pick her nose for her — yuck.

Voted the top children’s book of the year in 2012, David Walliams’ Ratburger encourages the audience to support Zoe as she battles through life, which is littered with perils, pitfalls, and grizzly individuals.

Heartbreak Productions is returning this summer with the theatrical premiere of Ratburger, adapted for the outdoor stage.

Join Heartbreak Productions for this modern thriller that blends dark reality and irreverent comedy for today’s children — recommended for children aged seven and up.

The running time is two hours and will include a 20-minute interval.

Showing on Wednesday, August 17, from 5pm at Hartland Abbey and on Thursday, August 18, from 5pm at the RHS Garden Rosemoor.

Tickets cost £13/£11/£9. There is also a drama workshop for ages five to 11, costing £3, from 3.45pm to 4.45p.

To book call the Box Office on 01805 624624 or online at www.theploughartscentre.org.uk