For writer and actor Patrick Lynch, the most important thing to do when creating theatre for children is “to play”.

He says: “By that I mean having a spirit of play when you’re writing it and designing it. We don’t think, ‘What would children like?’ We do what we like and it appeals to children because we approach it in the right spirit.”

This half-term show is being put on by Lyngo Theatre, the company Lynch set up in 2003. The Scotsman has also presented Razzledazzle for the BBC’s CBeebies since 2005.

The production has been translated and adapted from an award-winning Italian show, whose creator, Marcello Chiarenza is directing this version.

Lynch says: “We’ve turned it into a musical — you can communicate things very quickly with songs. Hansel and Gretel can be quite a scary story, but our version certainly isn’t. We don’t shy away from the scary bits — we confront them through song. Hopefully it’s very joyous.”

The story follows Hansel and Gretel’s journey from a house with empty cupboards and a mother who doesn’t like children to a house made of sweets and someone who just loves children — on toast.

Lynch and actress Emilia Brodie play all the characters, including Hansel and Gretel, their parents and two witches, and the original music has been composed by Carlo Cialdo Capelli, who specialises in children’s theatre.

The production is suitable for children aged four and over.

Hansel and Gretel is on at artsdepot, on Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, from Wednesday to Sunday, February 18 to 22, at 12pm and 3pm.

Tickets cost £10 (concessions £8, family £32) and are available from the box office on 020 8369 5454.

There are also craft workshops based on Hansel and Gretel daily at 11am and 2pm, lasting 45 minutes, costing £6.