If you’re expecting a classic Christmas story from Creation this season then think again, because Oxford’s most anarchic theatre company never plays by the rules.

So while heralding in the festive season with Peter Pan at The North Wall this year, nothing will go as expected.

Hence Tinkerbell is a man, Hook is female, the theatre is transformed into a cabaret style space complete with table seating and there is even a synchronised swimming-inspired mermaid dance routine to look forward to.

“That’s the joy of Creation. We get offers to introduce our audiences to some really wonderful venues and interesting buildings,” says Lucy Askew, Creation’s Chief Executive.

But if this all sounds a bit left-field, remember Creation is essentially geared around storytelling:

“We’ve been biding our time on Peter Pan for a while” Lucy explains. “It’s exactly the sort of story we relish; fairies, pirates, mermaids, fantastic characters and the scope to make something beautiful, heartfelt and utterly bonkers.”

Writer and Director Gari Jones continues: “There’s silliness and stupidity that works on different levels. So there’s a song about nappy bins and poo that the kids will find hilarious, alongside some really dry humour for the adults.

“What we do at Creation is a world away from Panto; it’s dark, weird and beautiful.

“When you walk into the theatre we want you to feel completed transported to another world, unlike anything you’ve seen before - to totally immerse you in this crazy, magical, beautiful world that we’ve created.”

What about the Peter himself though? “Right from the start we had a strong feeling for what Peter should be like,” Gari says.

“Like so many of these classic stories we’ve all grown used to the more genetic, Disney version. But the original work is much darker, so we wanted our Peter to be likeable, but arrogant and a bit dangerous.”

The professional cast will be joined onstage at the North Wall by a five local child performers from Creation’s Drama Clubs, congregating as a youth chorus, a regular feature of Creation shows for the past six years.

“We had no idea what we were getting into the first time we ever put kids in the show” says Lucy laughing, “but there really is no going back now.

“Seeing what the children get out if it and the incredible dedication and support their families give to the shows is humbling.”

And with a percentage of all ticket sales going to Great Ormond Street Hospital, there’s even a charitable incentive to go along for the ride of a lifetime.